High school Web threats put to rest for now

Angelique Flores

HUNTINGTON BEACH-- Classrooms at Ocean View High School were half-full

earlier this week after word about violent threats made over the Internet

spread to many of the students.

An 18-year-old Huntington Beach man was questioned Monday in

connection with the threats made Sunday against Ocean View High School on

a Web site, authorities said.

The suspect is not an Ocean View student, police said. His name and

details of the threat are not being released pending further

investigation, said Huntington Beach Police Lt. Bill Peterson.

Police are confident they have identified the proper individual. After

searching the man’s home, police found no evidence to corroborate the

threats and saw no reason to believe the suspect was going to carry them

out.

“It wasn’t a danger, but I couldn’t ignore it,” Principal Karen Gilden

said. “My first concern is always to make sure that the school was safe,

that students are safe and that they can receive an education.”

On Monday, some students didn’t show up at all, while others opted to

leave after hearing about the incident from teachers. Of those who

stayed, some were still nervous, Gilden said.

“There were lots of rumors and lots of gossip,” Gilden said.

District police and city police were sent to campus Monday, but by

Tuesday the campus was back to business as usual.

Reports of the incident will be submitted to the district attorney,

after which authorities will decide whether or not to file charges.

“I think the important lesson here is that the Internet is not an

anonymous place and we need to be responsible for what we say and write,”

Gilden said.

Anyone with information is urged to call the police at (714) 375-5066.