Rocklin PD Arrests 3 Suspects for Social Media Threats Against High School
Three suspects — two juveniles and one adult — were reportedly recently arrested for allegedly posting threats of school gun violence against Whitney High School and Rocklin High School, according to an official press release from Rocklin Police Department.
Justin Herrmann, 18, of Rocklin was reportedly arrested and booked into the Placer County Jail for making criminal threats through a third party and obstructing a police investigation. Two juveniles were also reportedly arrested and booked into the Placer County Juvenile Hall, and charged with annoying electronic communications and criminal threats.
Justin Herrmann was one of three arrested in the threats.
According to Rocklin PD, on Thursday, May 29 at about 12:15 pm, the department received information from the principal of Whitney High School about a rumor that had begun circulating around the school. A parent had reportedly called the principal to report her son had heard something about guns and a shooting on the Whitney High School Campus that would have reportedly taken place today, Friday, May 30.
The Rocklin Unified School District (RUSD) administration reportedly worked in conjunction with Rocklin PD, and they were able to track several rumors to an Instagram profile that had reportedly been created seven weeks ago. The Instagram profile reportedly was called “Whitney High School New World Order 5/30/14.” However, according to Rocklin PD, no evidence of guns, a shooting or threats were found on the Instagram profile, and there had not been any activity on the account since April 10.
Rocklin PD and RUSD reportedly continued the investigation, and RUSD reportedly took immediate steps to ensure the safety of all students by making notifications as a precaution. The notifications reportedly resulted in multiple calls by concerned parents to Rocklin 911, as well as numerous social media conversations and anonymous tips to Rocklin PD.
Later in the day on Thursday, May 29, Rocklin PD reportedly uncovered new threats of school gun violence posted on Twitter, which were believed not to be associated with the original Instagram posting. These new postings of school gun violence were reportedly both against Whitney High School and Rocklin High School, and caused more confusion and alarm among students and parents.
Rocklin PD reportedly investigated several leads through various social media outlets, and were reportedly able to identify the three suspects.
As a result of this case, Rocklin PD reportedly planned to have additional uniformed patrols at Rocklin Unified School District schools today.
