Sheriff’s Office Stops Potential Threat By Local Student After Recovering Explosives

ORCUTT, Calif. (KEYT) – The Sheriff's Office shared Wednesday that a specialized unit stopped a recent potential threat towards a local school made by a juvenile after recovering two explosive devices during their investigation.

On Aug. 18, deputies received a report that a juvenile male had made disturbing statements about hurting others stated a press release from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office Wednesday.

Deputies assigned to the Sheriff's Office Behavioral Sciences Unit worked alongside the boy's family, mental health professionals, and school officials to assess the potential threats shared the local law enforcement agency.

Investigators also reviewed the juvenile's online activity and conducted a search of his home where they located two explosive devices detailed the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office.

On Aug. 22, the Sheriff's Bomb Squad responded to the Orcutt home and safely recovered both explosive devices and the Sheriff's Crisis Intervention Team connected the juvenile and his family with intervention services appropriate for the nature of what was discovered explained the local Sheriff's Office.

According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office, the review of online activity revealed that the juvenile had been in contact with another juvenile in Illinois who had "similar concerning interests".

Law enforcement in Illinois were informed about the online connection, but local law enforcement determined that there was no actionable threat noted the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office.

Although school administrators were notified about the investigation, the Sheriff's Office did not recommend the schools initiate emergency safety protocols shared the law enforcement agency.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing and the Sheriff's Office asked that when members of the community encounter threatening or suspicious content online, the best response is to report it to law enforcement or a school official before sharing or reposting such threats which can spread fear and complicate investigations.

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