Hollister police have arrested two San Benito High School
students alleging they were in possession of explosives and a knife
and that the boys, ages 14 and 15, conspired to plan an attack on
the campus, and a department spokesman Friday noted how
investigators were continuing to examine the so-called ‘scenario’
plotted in one of the suspect’s writings.
Hollister police have arrested two San Benito High School students alleging they were in possession of explosives and a knife and that the boys, ages 14 and 15, conspired to plan an attack on the campus, and a department spokesman noted how investigators were continuing to examine the so-called ‘scenario’ plotted in one of the suspect’s writings.
Police arrested the two students Monday after a “concerned classmate” reported to the school that the 14-year-old had been in possession of explosive powder and a weapon on campus, according to a press release from the police department.
After the responding officer Carlos Rodriguez confirmed the student had the items, detectives Don Pershall and Don Anderson, and Sgt. Dan Winn, determined the student also had diagrams for making bombs, a list of equipment to obtain such as firearms and ammunition, and other writings, according to the press release.
The 15-year-old student was linked to the scenario and the weapons and explosives, the police statement notes.
Both were booked into San Benito County Juvenile Hall with recommended charges alleging conspiracy and possession of weapons and explosive powder.
Police spokesman Sgt. David Westrick declined to comment on how explicit the boys’ plans may have been for an attack.
“That’s actually part of the investigation,” Westrick said. “It’s a crucial part of the investigation.”
Westrick declined to elaborate on the “scenario” police discovered in the 14-year-old’s writings.
“In order for us to fulfill what a crime is, we have to have all the elements,” Westrick said. “All the elements are there, and we’re still working to make sure we have the entire picture, the totality of it.”
He said police do not know whether any other students may have been involved with the two suspects and investigators did not know as of Friday afternoon whether the boys had planned to target anyone in particular.
“Obviously, the investigation will hopefully give us all the information we want,” he said.
Westrick said it’s the first incident in recent years at San Benito High School involving such detailed plans for an attack.
The press release also notes how the parents and guardians of the two students were cooperative during the investigation and expressed great concern when they realized the boys were involved in the suspected activity.
“It was a good job by the high school staff and the responding officers,” Westrick said.
San Benito High School District Superintendent Stan Rose said campus officials believe staff and students were “always safe.” He said there has been a “good” level of communication with the police department.
“They’re working with us to make sure things are safe, and from what we understand, things were always safe,” Rose said.
Rose also said there is no indication to this point there may have been any other students involved, he said.
“No, I haven’t heard anything like that,” he said.
In the case of such emergencies, San Benito High School and authorities have prepared by holding many lockdown drills and “active shooter” drills in recent years.
Regarding communication with staff and parents, Rose said it will occur “based on what police are working with.”
Anyone with information regarding this incident can contact Detective Don Pershall at 636-4330. Persons wishing to remain anonymous can call (800) 78-CRIME.
