Los Banos police say school shooting social media threat is believed to be fake

Authorities in Los Banos are investigating what they say is a fake social media post threatening a school shooting.

According to Los Banos Police Commander Ray Reyna, the department learned of the social media post Wednesday morning when it was shared with Police Chief Gary Brizzee. Reyna said the post appears to be circulating in other jurisdictions including the Delhi area and does not appear to have originated from the Los Banos area.

“In this case we received it from another jurisdiction, that’s how we received it initially,” Reyna said.

Still, Reyna said, “Were going to have extra patrols around the schools and we’re collaborating with the school district.” And if the post is found out to have originated in the Los Banos area, the department will pursue criminal charges.

Los Banos Unified School District Superintendent Mark E. Marshall said no specific school was targeted by the threat and the district is unsure of all the social media platforms the threatening post has been shared on. It appears the same post has been circulated in multiple jurisdictions and not just the Los Banos area.

“We are working closely with the police department, monitoring the situation, and sharing any updated information if it comes available,” Marshall said in an email.

Marshall said that out of an abundance of caution, extra patrols will be made available in addition to school resource officers assigned to district sites.

“Student and Staff Safety remain a top priority in Los Banos Unified School District,” Marshall said.

Commander Reyna said messages and memes such as the threatening post circulating on social media are designed to scare the public and it presents a good opportunity to talk to kids about how there can be consequences for circulating these types of posts with the intent to promote fear.

Investigators ask anyone with information about the post to contact Los Banos police. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 209-827-2545. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the Los Banos Police Department website as well as the Merced Area Crime Stoppers website.

This story was originally published April 19, 2023 at 11:20 AM.