Full Notification

UPDATE: 11/2/2018
Working with the Marin County District Attorney’s Office and Novato Unified School District, NPD Detectives continued to follow up on investigative leads in this case.  Detectives discovered inconsistencies in one student’s version of events.  
 
On 11/2/18, Detectives re-interviewed both Novato High School students.  One student, a 16 year old male, confessed to sending the threatening messages while falsely impersonating the student who was arrested.  It does not appear any other students were either involved in making these threats or was aware the Novato High student had manufactured threats with the intent to implicate another student.  At this time, there is no information to believe there was a credible threat to Novato High School.  The 16 year old student was arrested for 148.9 PC –False Report of a Crime, 529 PC-Falsely Impersonating another Person, and 422 PC-Criminal Threats. He was booked into Marin County Juvenile Hall. 
 
“Weaponizing the police with false allegations such as those in this case was not only a travesty for the accused boy but a gross waste of scarce resources that unnecessarily put our community on edge.  I’m grateful our team thoroughly investigated this case and got to the truth” said Chief McGill.
 
We would like to thank our community partners at Novato Unified School District and Marin County District Attorney’s Office for this assistance during this investigation.

10/31/2018

On October 30, 2018 at 7:00 pm, the Novato Police Department received information that several Novato High students received threatening electronic messages from a 16-year-old male, a student at another Marin high school, making statements regarding the students’ sexual orientation while threatening a school shooting at Novato High School on October 31st.  As part of the investigation, officers interviewed the students who received the threats.  NPD Detectives obtained a search warrant and contacted the accused student at his residence.  He and his family were cooperative with detectives and denied having any intentions to cause harm at the school.  A search of his residence was conducted and a pellet gun was located.  No other guns or weapons were located.  After the preliminary investigation, the student was arrested and booked at Marin County Juvenile Hall for 422 PC-Criminal Threats and 422.6 PC-Hate Crime.  The case will be forwarded to the Marin County District Attorney’s office for review. The accused student will be referred to services.    Its early in this investigation and the accused is innocent until proven guilty. 
 
This case is example of why it is important to report any suspicious or concerning behavior.   “See Something, Say Something” is a campaign that promotes early warning reporting and is intended to prevent tragic situations from occurring by early intervention.  We encourage students and community members to report concerning behavior immediately to the police department by calling 415-897-4361 or directly to a School Resource Officer.  Tips can be submitted anonymously at [email protected].  Campus safety is everyone’s responsibility.   
 
“Our officers are fully committed to protecting our students, faculty, and staff.  Our SRO’s and team have worked hard to build relationships with the campus community, so we’re better connected to learn about threats before its too late.  I’m grateful for the proactive effort in this case.  Acts of hate and threats of violence will not be tolerated in Novato”, said Chief Adam McGill.
 
Although, there is no continuing threat to Novato High School or the students involved, officers will be providing high visibility presence in the area of Novato High School today to reassure students and parents.  The NPD has well developed plans for responding to incidents taking place at schools and is fully prepared to respond to any situation on campus.  We continue to work closely with Novato Unified School District to ensure safety at all NUSD facilities.