Two 15-year-old girls suspected of planning RivCo high school shooting arrested

CORONA, Calif. (KESQ) - Two 15-year-old girls suspected of planning an attack at Corona High School, allegedly in act of revenge, remained in custody today, while classes resumed as usual at the campus.

Authorities announced the girls' arrests Tuesday, culminating a chain of events that began Oct. 6 when the FBI notified the Corona Police Department that it had found social media communications indicating that planning was underway for a potential future attack at Corona High School.

An investigation led to the arrest of a 15-year-old female Corona High School student, police said. Detectives served search warrants related to electronic devices and communications at several residences in Riverside County and identified a 15-year-old female Norco High School student who was also arrested.

"The evidence obtained showed the two suspects had spent several months researching school shootings and discussed how they could carry out a potential attack at Corona High School on an unspecified future date," according to a police statement. "Communications showed the suspects discussed methods to obtain weapons but had not yet been able to do so. No weapons were located during the searches.''  

The two girls remained in custody on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder while the Riverside County District Attorney's office reviews the case, police said.

"It does appear that revenge might have been a motive for this,'' Corona police Lt. Robert Montanez told reporters Wednesday. "Of course, I can't speak to what was going on in these girls' heads or why they felt that this was the steps that needed to be taken, but it does appear at this point that revenge might have been a factor."  

Montanez said that over the past few months, the girls "made pretty extensive plans about coordinating an attack" at CHS.   

"That included maps of the campus, a list of targets, how to acquire weapons,'' he said.

Montanez said it was unclear if the girls made any actual attempts to obtain weapons, but they were conducting research on California gun laws, ways of obtaining guns, age limits for purchasing weapons and alternate ways of getting them.

Corona police said they worked with the FBI, Riverside County Sheriff's Office and Corona-Norco Unified School District in the investigation.   

According to Montanez, Meta -- the parent company of Instagram -- initially shared information with the FBI "regarding a potential threat based on what these two students were sharing with each other."

He said the FBI then forwarded that information to the Corona Police Department to investigate.

"Thankful for @FBILosAngeles and @CoronaPD who moved fast to disrupt a planned attack on a Southern California high school before anyone was harmed,'' FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X Wednesday morning. "Two in custody. Investigation ongoing. Outstanding work by our agents and law enforcement partners. Protecting our kids is non-negotiable."  

Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona, also hailed investigators, writing on social media, "I want to thank the Corona Police Department and FBI for their proactive actions to protect Corona students and teachers from this threat."  

Both Corona and Norco high schools were operating normally on Wednesday.   

Anyone with information for the case was urged to contact Corona Police Department Detective George Edwards at 951-279-3656 or George.Edwards@CoronaCA.gov.