Two Moreno Valley middle school students arrested for falsely reporting active shooter incident

At least two middle school students suspected of falsely reporting an active shooter incident at Vista Verde Middle School were arrested today.

A bogus report of a gunman on the campus of Vista Verde Middle School in Moreno Valley on Monday prompted a lockdown of the grounds and an investigation by Riverside County sheriff’s deputies.

The 911 call of an “active shooter” was received at 3:40 p.m. Monday, and moments later, deputies swarmed the campus at 25777 Krameria St., according to Val Verde Unified School District spokesman Jonathan Moreno.

He said the school’s final bell was 90 minutes prior to the call, so few staff and students were still on campus, but a lockdown was ordered to be safe.

Deputies searched the property and found no threats, lifting the lockdown at 4:25 p.m., Moreno said.

On Tuesday, authorities identified the suspects who are students at Vista Verde, according to sheriff’s Sgt. Steve Favero. The students were contacted and interviewed, Favero said.

“Based on the investigation, the students were arrested and later released to the custody of their parents,” Favero said. “Charges will be filed with Juvenile Probation.”