Two 15-year-old girls accused of plotting a school shooting in California allegedly had a list of individuals' names as investigators examined a possible revenge motive, according to police. The teenagers were arrested in connection with an alleged plot targeting Corona High School in Riverside County, after the FBI alerted local police to online communications about a possible threat, according to ABC7 Los Angeles. Corona police said in a statement released on October 20 that the investigation began on October 6, when the FBI notified officers about social media communications concerning a potential threat to the school.
One suspect, a 15-year-old student at Corona High School, was arrested following the alert. Detectives then searched several residences in Riverside County and examined electronic devices and communications, leading them to identify a second suspect, a 15-year-old student at Norco High School. According to police, investigators found evidence that the girls had spent several months researching school shootings and discussing how they could carry out an attack at Corona High School.
The communications also allegedly showed the teenagers discussing ways to obtain weapons, although none were found during the searches. Newsweek has approached the Riverside County District Attorney's Office for comment via email. Corona Police Lieutenant Robert Montanez told ABC7 that investigators had discovered a list of individuals' names while investigating the alleged plot.
"I can't really speak to what was in these girls' minds. But yes, there was a list with individuals' names on it, but their target was clearly the school campus," Montanez told the broadcaster. Asked about a possible motive, Montanez said there was some indication that revenge had played a role.
The authorities have not publicly identified the individuals allegedly named on the list, and it remains unclear what connection, if any, they had to the suspects. The police statement also did not specify a motive or identify any intended individual victims. It said the alleged attack was being planned for an unspecified future date.
The investigation remains ongoing, with Corona police working alongside the FBI, the Riverside County Sheriff's Office and the Corona-Norco Unified School District. Both teenagers remain in custody, according to Corona Police, who said they were being held in connection with conspiracy to commit murder. The Riverside County District Attorney's Office is reviewing the case, and it was not immediately clear whether prosecutors had formally filed charges in court.
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