A Colorado Springs teenager is suspected of making long-distance telephone threats, shutting down high schools in California and Nevada.
The teen was taken into custody Tuesday when the FBI and Colorado Springs police served a search warrant at a local residence, according to an FBI media release.
The teenager is suspected of “swatting,” providing false information to police “suggesting that a threat exists at a particular location so that police respond with tactical units.”
On Sept. 8 and 9 telephone calls were made to the Corona (Calif.) Police Department with the caller saying explosives had been placed on the Centennial High School campus in Corona.
Local police and firefighters responded and the school canceled classes as a precaution. No explosives were found.
Investigators traced the caller to a Colorado Springs home, the FBI said. Similar calls were made to high schools in Las Vegas.
The El Paso County District Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case and will determine whether criminal charges will be filed.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822, knicholson@denverpost.com or @kierannicholson
