Merced Police Reportedly Arrest Juvenile Suspect and His Father in Shooting Threat Investigation
MERCED, CA — A 16-year-old juvenile and his father have been arrested following an investigation into a reported shooting threat at Golden Valley High School, according to authorities.
In a press release, the Merced Police Department announced that they had received a report from a concerned parent after school had been dismissed on Monday, Mar. 5, stating that their children had witnessed the 16-year-old student making threats to harm other students with whom he had ongoing disputes. The parent also indicated a belief that the suspect may have been in possession of a firearm on campus, police said
School administrators contacted the school resource officer, who began an investigation. Merced PD investigators worked with school staff to identify the suspect and determined that they resided in a rural area of the county, leading officers to obtain and serve a search warrant at the residence.
During the search, investigators reportedly found six unsecured firearms in the home, belonging to the juvenile’s father, 35-year-old Jonathan Olvera. Olvera was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment and the firearms were seized, police said.
Police also searched the juvenile suspect’s room and reportedly confiscated a BB gun designed to resemble a real firearm.
The 16-year-old suspect was arrested and booked into juvenile hall on charges related to criminal threats and firearm offenses, police said.
