Teen Busted Recruiting Classmates To Mount Mass Shooting, Bombing At High School

As the United States continues to grapple with a series of public mass shootings over the past few months, a teenager in California was arrested by police officers on Monday after he reportedly tried to recruit people to start a mass shooting in their high school.

The 16-year-old teen, who has not been publicly named, was allegedly recruiting people for a possible mass shooting and bombing targeting Berkeley High School. The boy turned himself in on Monday after a search warrant of his home showed him with explosive parts and assault rifles that could have been used in a shooting, according to the New York Post.

“We recognize the impact this news may have on our community,” the local police department said. “School safety remains a high priority for the department.”

It is unclear as to why the teenager wanted to initiate a mass shooting targeting the school, but police officers prepared a mental health response to evaluate the teen during the search in his home, CNN reported.

“We are committed to conducting our own separate investigation, within the parameters of our authority as a school district, and as the evidence warrants, pursuing all possible steps, including discipline, that will support student and community safety,” Berkeley Unified School District Superintendent Brent Stephens said.

“Speaking up in this instance allowed for the police to intervene in advance of any harm occurring.”

The arrest came as America continues to find itself in the midst of multiple back-to-back mass shooting events. A teenager in Uvalde, Texas killed 19 children and two teachers just a week before the Californian teen’s arrest. Over 233 mass shootings have occurred in America in 2022 so far.

“As the country continues to reel from a horrific school shooting, it was disturbing to hear a similar plot was being planned at Berkeley High School, which was ultimately foiled,” Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín said. “I am thankful for the Berkeley Police Department for their thorough investigation and the students who spoke out to raise the alarm.”