Two 15-year-old girls have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder after authorities say they spent months researching school shootings and discussing a possible attack at Corona High School in Southern California.
According to the Corona Police Department, the investigation began on October 6 when the FBI alerted local police to social media communications suggesting planning was underway for a potential future attack. Detectives served search warrants on electronic devices and communications at several Riverside County residences, leading to the arrest of a female Corona High School student and a female Norco High School student.
Police said the evidence showed the two suspects had discussed how they could carry out a potential attack at Corona High School on an unspecified future date, ABC7 reports. Communications showed they discussed methods to obtain weapons, but investigators said they had not yet acquired any, and no weapons were found during the searches. Both girls remained in custody while the Riverside County District Attorney's office reviews the case.
FBI Director Kash Patel said a potential act of targeted violence against a Southern California high school was disrupted before anyone was harmed, according to KCAL News. Corona police said they worked with the FBI, the Riverside County Sheriff's Office and the Corona-Norco Unified School District on the investigation, which remains ongoing.
The investigation began after the FBI flagged social media communications, a reminder of how quickly online threats now trigger multi-agency responses, according to police. Anyone with information was urged to contact Corona police detective George Edwards. Both suspects remain in custody as detectives continue reviewing seized devices and the district attorney weighs formal charges.
School safety experts say early intervention in such cases is critical, and authorities credited the FBI tip with preventing a potential tragedy. The Corona-Norco Unified School District has not commented on the students' enrollment status while the criminal case is pending.