Trio Of Threats To Temecula Schools 'Not Credible,' Police Say

TEMECULA, CA — Threats made to multiple Temecula schools on Wednesday and Thursday prompted an extra police presence at the campuses and messages from school officials assuring parents that students are safe.

The first threat made involved Great Oak High School. Temecula Valley Unified School District officials said a message was written on bathroom tiles on Wednesday at the school indicating a shooting was planned on Thursday.

Police and TVUSD said the student responsible for the message was found.

"At this time, we don't believe that the threats are credible," Riverside County Sheriff's Dep. Robyn Flores told Patch.

On Thursday, additional threats were made to Temecula Valley High School and Temecula Middle School, according to TVUSD and the sheriff's department.

At TVHS, a Snapchat post made the rounds showing an airsoft gun with the words "TVHS," the district said. The person responsible for it was also located and admitted to making it.

"The matter is resolved," the district said.

"The school resource officer is still conducting an investigation, and it's possible that the student can face charges for threats," Flores told Patch.

Also on Thursday morning, a message was found in a bathroom at Temecula Middle School, the district said. Officials say it was a likely "copycat" message to to the one found at Great Oak High School.

"The writing is the same as what was written at GOHS earlier this week '/26 Shooting,'" the district said. "The first date was ineligible but we believe it was intended to be a 9."

"There is an additional rumor circulating that there was a gun found on campus," officials added. "THIS IS NOT TRUE and COMPLETELY A RUMOR."

Police were maintaining a visible presence at the schools on Thursday.

Below, you can find the message in full that was sent to TVUSD families on Thursday:

TVUSD Families, Today we have experienced some additional threats to two campuses, TVHS and TMS. We have notified the families of both schools and because of increasing non-valid rumors, we want to share districtwide. Both incidents were reported first thing this morning. The police were immediately involved and are assisting the schools. Please know, most importantly, that we continue to monitor these situations and we know they are causing great concern and anxiety for our students and families. We truly regret these incidents but we are doing everything we can to respond with vigilance, support, and communication. TVHS -Snapchat post with a photo of an airsoft gun containing the words TVHS. We have been able to identify the source of the post. The individual responsible met with TVHS administration and law enforcement officials around 8:00 a.m. and admitted to making the post. The matter is resolved. TMS - This morning, TMS staff discovered, what we believe to be a copycat bathroom tile writing at TMS. The writing is the same as what was written at GOHS earlier this week. "/26 Shooting." The first date was ineligible but we believe it was intended to be a 9. There is an additional rumor circulating that there was a gun found on campus. THIS IS NOT TRUE and COMPLETELY A RUMOR. While we do not believe the writing is a credible threat, we are following all of our normal protocols and procedures to investigate and determine the identity of the writer(s). We will exercise every precaution and process we have available to identify the source.