The threats to shoot up several schools on the Westside that resulted in the arrest of a 14-year-old Newman boy may have been part of a viral nationwide trend, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be facing some very real and serious consequences, according to local officials.

The threats regarding the Westside started circulating on Sept. 12 and warned of violence on Sept. 13. That same day, the Newman Police Department announced the arrest of the 14-year-old suspect.

Over the last two weeks, threats of school shootings have been reported all over the nation and have resulted in a multitude of arrests of teenagers, including several in the region. Though the threats were connected to a nationwide viral social media trend, every threat was taken seriously to ensure the safety of students, teachers, and the community at large. The threats also had noticeable impacts at the schools, which recorded high rates of absenteeism.

“Any threat of violence in our schools is a threat to our entire community,” said Stanislaus County District Attorney Jeff Laugero. “I want to send a clear message that this office will pursue every legal means to address these situations quickly and efficiently. As a father, I believe parents should have confidence when they send their children to school that their children are safe. I will do my part as District Attorney to ensure they are safe.”

Prompted by threats to area schools that circulated on Sept. 13, investigations by local law enforcement agencies have resulted in the arrest of several juveniles. Charges have been filed, and more arrests and charges may be forthcoming as investigations into the threats continue.

In one that spread on local online community forums, the post stated: “This Friday, there will be a shooting at Patterson, Gustine and Newman between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. at the following schools: Apricot Valley Elementary, Las Palmas Elementary School, Northmead Elementary School, Creekside Middle School, Patterson High School, Hurd Barrington Elementary, Von Renner Elementary School, Hunt Elementary, Yolo Middle School, Orestimba High School, Gustine Elementary School and Gustine High. You are receiving this message as a warning.”

“Parents need to have candid family conversations about the serious risks to their children of spreading or initiating these types of social media posts, voice mails, and text messages,” said Laugero. “While these school shooting and bomb hoaxes may appear harmless on the surface, law enforcement and my office take them very seriously. The District Attorney’s Office is actively working with law enforcement to ensure we have all the facts in each case to fully understand what happened and hold those involved accountable for the disruption and fear their illegal behavior caused.”

Both the Newman and Gustine Police departments were made aware of the threats and took action. On Sept. 13, the Newman Police Department announced they had arrested a 14-year-old boy. Newman Police officers arrested the boy for threats against an educational institution and criminal threats related to the city of Newman. Additionally, for threats made to the city of Patterson, the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office said they will pursue charges for the same, as well as cyber harassment.

The investigation will continue to determine if the individual acted alone and if he made other threating posts.

The Newman Crows Landing Unified School District confirmed the suspect is a student in the district and that the student did not have the means to carry out the threat.

“We want to inform you that an arrest of one of our students has been made in connection with the recent social media school shooting hoax,” the district said in a news release. “Please rest assured that our district investigates all potential threats—whether credible or not—with the utmost seriousness, in close collaboration with law enforcement. Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our students and staff, and we remain committed to keeping you accurately and promptly informed of any situation that may impact our ability to maintain a safe learning environment. At no time did this student have ability to follow through with the threat. The intention was to cause a disruption.

“In an ongoing effort to support a safe school community, we encourage the use of the StopIt App,” NCLUSD stated. “This app is a powerful tool for anonymously reporting concerns such as bullying, safety threats, or inappropriate behavior. The app allows students and community members to submit detailed reports, including text, photos, and videos, directly to school administrators or district personnel for thorough investigation. The StopIt App can be easily downloaded to your mobile device and is also available on your child’s district-issued device, offering a convenient way to report concerns at any time.

“Lastly, we want to remind everyone that safety is a shared responsibility. As adults, we must model the behavior we wish to see in our children, and together, we can foster a strong sense of confidence in our ability to keep them safe. Trust and collaboration are key in ensuring that the challenges our society faces today do not undermine the strength and potential of our Newman Crows Landing community.”

“We have recently been made aware of some concerning content circulating on social media,” the Gustine Unified School District wrote in a posted statement. “We have consulted with our local police department and they have determined that this content is not credible.  We have been informed that this content is making its way around the communities in our area.

“Please keep in mind that social media may be a source of misinformation.  We are also aware of a post alleging a firearm was found on campus at Gustine High School.  After a thorough investigation in collaboration with high school administration and Gustine Police Department, we can assure families that the allegations are false and unfounded. We will continue to be alert and will keep families informed as necessary through ParentSquare.”

Once a juvenile is criminally charged, a detention hearing is held for a judge to decide the release status for minors accused of a crime. Choices range from confinement in the Stanislaus County Juvenile Hall, home detention with or without an ankle monitor, to general release into the custody of their parents.

Under California law, juvenile records are confidential. Therefore, prosecutors are legally restricted from providing information to the public.