Death threats raise concerns at Arroyo Grande High School

Posted: Apr 20, 2011 10:40 PM by Ariel Wesler
Updated: Apr 21, 2011 7:12 AM

Students at Arroyo Grande High School are on alert tonight after receiving death threats.

Arroyo Grande Police say at least six students have received death threats on their cell phones. The victims have been men and women of different races. Investigators say the victims' phone numbers may have been pulled from social networking sites like Facebook.

Students at Arroyo Grande High School are getting death threats on their cell phones.

"The threat talked about cutting off their head," said Chuck Gerhart with the Arroyo Grande Police Department.

Then the caller simply hangs up. Based on the investigation, officers believe more than one person is making those calls, but they haven't been able to trace who.

"It's kind scary considering they don't know where it's coming from or why," said Mickey Coho, a parent at Arroyo Grande High School.

"I think it's a terrible thing, especially when you're dealing with kids essentially. I think it's an awful thing to threaten them with any kind of violence," said Mandie Fletcher, a parent at Arroyo Grande High School.

Teens at the school didn't seem too concerned.

"They say a lot of stuff, but it never happens. They're probably just trying to scare people," said AGHS Senior Daniel Branin.

A scare tactic that could land the caller or callers behind bars. School leaders had not notified parents about the threats, but say they are taking action to keep students safe.

"It is an alarming thing and so we're worried about it and so we're doing everything we can to help the police and hopefully catch who's ever been doing it," said AGHS Principal Ryan Pinkerton.

In the meantime, officers say watch what you post online.

"Don't put out personal identifying information on that site because it opens the door for people to do things like this," Gerhart said.

Investigators are unsure at this point if the caller or callers are from the area. They say similar incidents have been reported in other parts of the country in the last two weeks.

If you have more information or have received the threats, contact the Arroyo Grande Police Department.