17-Year-Old CUHS Student Arrested After School Threats Investigation; No Weapons Found
El Centro, CA — A 17-year-old student from Central Union High School (CUHS) has been arrested following an investigation into a threatening message found in a school restroom. On Thursday, September 12, 2024, at 3:50 p.m., the El Centro Police Department (ECPD) was notified of graffiti referencing a potential threat to the school. The note, written on a restroom stall, read: “Shooting up the school, 9/16/24.”
Upon receiving the report, ECPD officers immediately coordinated efforts with school and district staff to investigate the situation. In response, extra patrols were deployed at schools throughout the community as a precautionary measure.
A thorough investigation quickly led to the identification of the 17-year-old CUHS student allegedly responsible for the graffiti. The student was arrested and booked into Imperial County Juvenile Hall on felony criminal threat charges. A search of the student’s personal property and residence was conducted, with cooperation from the student’s parents. According to police, no weapons were located during the search, and there are no further threats to the school or the community.
The El Centro Police Department expressed their gratitude for the ongoing collaboration between law enforcement and local schools. “We value our partnerships with the community and schools, and we encourage the public to call us if they see anything suspicious or concerning,” a department representative stated. The department also asked anyone with additional information about the incident to contact Officer Miguel Garrido at mgarrido@ecpd.org.
Earlier reports of the graffiti had caused concern among students, parents, and staff at CUHS, prompting the school district to assure the public that they were working closely with ECPD to investigate the threat and ensure student safety. On September 12, CUHSD had urged the community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity through the Catapult system, which is used to track school safety concerns. The district also increased police presence on campus and confirmed that all school activities would continue as planned, including a pep assembly and football game on Friday, September 13.
“We expect a normal school day tomorrow, but we will remain vigilant,” CUHS administration stated earlier in the week. “As always, if you see something, say something.”
The discovery of the graffiti and the resulting investigation sparked intense discussions on social media. One post in the Facebook group “Rants and Raves” emphasized the need for tighter school security, with one user writing, “Considering the world we live in, this is a serious issue that demands immediate action. Schools should be guarded like banks! Our kids are more important than money!”
Both the El Centro Police Department and the Central Union High School District will continue to monitor the situation, and they have assured the public that safety remains a top priority.