Police say that the two teenage girls who were arrested this month in connection with their alleged plans to carry out a school shooting at Corona High School may have had a hit list and were potentially planning some sort of revenge.
In a news release shared Tuesday, Corona Police Department officers said they were contacted by the FBI on October 6 after "they had identified online social media communications regarding a possible threat" at the high school, which is located on W. 10th Street. Corona police told CBS LA on Wednesday, just hours after the arrests were announced, that Meta, the platform that owns several social media sites including Facebook and Instagram, alerted the FBI of the planned attack.
"A collaborative investigation led to the immediate arrest of a 15-year-old female Corona High School student," according to the release.
Corona PD detectives executed numerous search warrants for electronic devices and communications and searched multiple Riverside County residences, the release said. Through their investigation, police identified and arrested a second suspect, a 15-year-old female student from Norco High School who previously attended Corona High.
"The evidence obtained showed the two suspects had spent several months researching school shootings and discussed how they could carry out a potential attack at Corona High School on an unspecified future date," police said. "Communications showed the suspects discussed methods to obtain weapons, but had not yet been able to do so."
Police said no weapons were discovered throughout the course of their investigation, which remains ongoing and in collaboration with the FBI, Riverside County Sheriff's Office and the Corona-Norco Unified School District.
"Parents and students are reminded to immediately report anything they see or hear that could be concerning, as awareness plays a vital role in keeping everyone safe," police said.
Both suspects remain in custody on charges of conspiracy to commit murder, and the Riverside County District Attorney's Office is reviewing the case, police said. The DA's Office said it couldn't confirm the charges or the suspects' identities because of their ages.
"The average suspect that commits a crime like this is gonna do it independently or by themselves, and it is not very common for them to be females," said Corona PD Lt. Robert Montanez, who added that the suspects had a map of the high school campus, ways to skirt the law and acquire firearms and "specifics how they would carry out the attack." They also allegedly had a list of targets that included both students and teachers.
In a statement, the Corona-Norco Unified School District said the two suspects haven't returned to school since their arrests.
"We are grateful for the swift response of the Corona Police Department and their continued partnership throughout this investigation," the district said. "We understand that hearing news like this can be unsettling for families, and we want our parents to know that the safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority."
FBI Director Kash Patel addressed the incident on social media on Wednesday morning, thanking local authorities for their quick work in preventing tragedy.
"Outstanding work by our agents and law enforcement partners," Patel's post said. "Protecting our kids is non-negotiable."
As the investigation continues, police asked anyone with more information to contact Corona PD Detective Edwards at George.Edwards@CoronaCA.gov or 951-279-3656.
