3 students arrested in thwarted school shooting plot, police say; replica AR-15 is seized

Three students were arrested this week in connection with a thwarted shooting plot at a high school in Desert Hot Springs, authorities said.

The arrests occurred after a Palm Springs Unified School District staff member spotted a social media post threatening violence. School officials alerted police Sunday evening, and the teens were arrested the same night. The names of the students — two boys and a girl — are being withheld because they are minors, officials said.

Desert Hot Springs police seized two guns, including a Glock semiautomatic handgun and a .357 magnum revolver. Police also confiscated a replica AR-15 assault rifle.

“There’s no real way to tell this is a fake weapon without actually having it in your hands,� Det. Larry Gaines said during a news conference Monday. “This could have ended in a deadly confrontation.�

In a message to parents, officials said security at the school would be heightened, though there was no ongoing safety threat.

“This incident serves as a reminder to our students and staff members about the importance of reporting anything they see or hear that looks, sounds or feels suspicious,� Palm Springs Unified School District Supt. Sandra Lyon said. “As a result of the sharing of information in an efficient and expedient manner, any potential threat was averted, and student and staff safety was not compromised.�

The students who were arrested are in juvenile custody and are being held on charges of making terrorist threats.