HS student arrested for threatening school staff

A Twentynine Palms student is facing charges of threatening to shoot, stab and assault staff members at Black Rock High School in Yucca Valley.

Matthew Ross, 18, was arrested Wednesday after San Bernardino County sheriff deputies found a loaded rifle, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, knives and even crossbows in his possession.

According to the complaint, Ross faces four felony charges of making criminal threats which would result in the death and great bodily injury of Lisa R, Terri W, Janet L, and Julie A. The victim’s last names weren’t disclosed.

Everything was back to normal at Black Rock High School Thursday with the exception of some added security. With increased school violence around the country the last few years, this was a threat that nobody was taking any chances with.

“My heart is beating so fast right now because I’m overwhelmed and I never thought this could happen in our community,” said local parent Latishia Williams.

Deputies said on Tuesday a teacher overheard Ross threatening to kill three teachers at the continuation school, mentioning them specifically by name.

“They were afraid to come to work that day, they locked their classes that day and when we interviewed them and the suspect it was a very real threat,” said San Bernardino County Sheriff Deputy Shaunna Ables.

Deputies searched Ross’ home in Twentynine Palms Wednesday and found a small arsenal including a loaded rifle and BB guns.

“We found several air soft rifles, air soft pistols, we found a 22 rifle, we found a couple of crossbows lots of knives, hunting knives,” said Ables. “He told us it belonged to him.”

Ross was arrested and charged for making criminal threats.

His brother, James Ross, told us the situation was blown out of proportion.

“There was an incident, teachers decided to enforce a no sleeping rule and I can understand and respect that, but he was approached in a very disrespectful way, an unprofessional way and he got enraged and basically let the teachers know he didn’t appreciate it in an extreme way,” said James Ross.

James Ross told us he believes his brother had no intention of hurting anyone.

“He is temperamental but he is no threat to society. He’s a good kid, he does gets angry, we all get angry sometimes we all lose it, maybe he shouldn’t have lost it the way he lost it, but Morongo School District employees need to conduct in a more professional way,” said James Ross.

The school district said it has no way of knowing if Ross would act or not.

“I think you have to take all threats seriously and you need to fully investigate and make sure you protect your students and you protect your staff at all times. There is no reason to take anything but very serious,” said Assistant Superintendent Douglas Weller.

Even with the swift action by authorities, parents are on edge.

“It makes me feel safer, but what is going to happen if another kid thinks the same way this kid is and what if he gets away with it this time? Where will my kids be?” said Williams.

Ross was arrested for criminal threats and was booked into the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga where he’s being held on $50,000 bail.