Police arrest five middle schoolers for threats posted on Instagram

UPDATE 5/12/15 9:43a.m.: The Soquel Union Elementary School District superintendent said attendance was normal Tuesday at New Brighton Middle School. This after a letter was sent to all parents letting them know that it’s safe for their children to come to school. The letter also stated counselors will be on campus in case students want to talk all week.

Superintendent Henry Castaniada said the Instagram threats were serious and targeted four students and one teacher at the school.

“Social media has created a lot of new challenges for school districts and at the same time school districts and parents have to work together. We don’t consider this a joke, we don’t consider something that we take lightly,” said Castaniada.

Castaniada hopes this incident can be a teaching moment for parents.

5/11/15 2:07p.m.: Capitola Police have arrested and charged five middle school students on making threats and conspiracy.

Officers say a parent of a student at the school saw the alleged threats on one of the five students Instagram accounts and notified police over the weekend.

The students are between the ages of 12 an 13 years old and are in 7th grade at New Brighton Middle School in Capitola.

Detectives say they worked with the Soquel Unified School District throughout the day Sunday to identify the five students and went to talk to each at their homes.

Police also conducted a search of the campus to make sure there was nothing dangerous at the school.

During the investigation, the students who made the alleged threats admitted that their conversation amongst each other was a hoax, detectives said.

The threats named four students and one teacher.

Officers took a few guns from one of the accused student’s parent’s home merely as a precaution they say. None of the students were found to be in possession of any weapons, including firearms.

Police say they plan to increase officer presence at the school over the next couple of days. The district sent a letter to all New Brighton Middle School parents giving them information about the incident and informing them of the extra patrols as well as counselors on campus for students to talk to.

On Monday, the district superintendent said that the incident had not impacted attendance.

If you have any questions, contact the Police Department at (831) 475-4935, or the school administration at New Brighton Middle School at (831) 464.5660.