Bombing, shooting threat deemed hoax at Monterey County schools

A social media threat on Facebook, deemed a hoax, prompted notification to schools and parents in Monterey County on Thursday, according to Salinas Police.

Salinas Police said the hoax was made by a 17-year-old male living in Greenfield, stating he planned to bomb schools in Monterey County schools and shootings from Salinas to King City.

According to a picture of the post obtained by KION, the teen posted comments beginning Wednesday evening under a profile named “El Compa Payaso Elcompapayaso.”

Through an IP address search, officers were able to identify a home in Greenfield and got a search warrant. They said the home was searched and no weapons or explosives were found.

Officers said the teen was interviewed and admitted to the hoax, saying he, “thought it would be funny.”

He will be booked at Monterey County Juvenile Hall on threat charges, according to police.

Salinas Police said the Monterey County Office of Education was notified of the potential threat at 6:15 a.m. and that prompted notification to all superintendents in the county. That typically triggers a notification to parents, the county said, adding all districts have different policies and procedures.

The office of education said they were notified that a threat was made and that police had a person of interest.

A parent at Greenfield High School reports getting an automated call Thursday morning, that a suspect has been caught and the case is under investigation.

KION will have more information on this story.