SAN DIEGO — A Rancho Bernardo High School student and his father were arrested after reports the student made verbal threats about a school shooting, according to a Tuesday, Jan. 30 release from the San Diego Police Department.
Principal Hans Becker said students notified administrators Jan. 26 that they had "witnessed another student showing concerning videos and making threatening statements against others and the school."
"Law enforcement was contacted immediately and launched an investigation yesterday evening. After deputies met with the student, they were taken into custody and all families of impacted students were notified," Becker said in the statement.
Police conducted a preliminary investigation Friday before taking the student into custody and later booking the teenager into juvenile detention center. The student's father, 45-year-old Neal Anders, was arrested Tuesday on charges of possession of illegal firearms, manufacturing assault weapons and possession of a destructive device.
Police served a Gun Violence Restraining Order to the student and obtained a search warrant for firearms at the student's house.
That search revealed several ghost guns, or firearms without serial numbers, along with several destructive devices, including rocket-propelled grenades, according to San Diego Police. Police said the San Diego Metro Arson Strike Team helped safely retrieve and confiscate the destructive devices.
“The San Diego Police Department takes all reports of potential threats to our schools and public very seriously. SDPD’s Northeastern Division, Ghost Gun Team, MAST and Threat Management Unit worked tirelessly and collaboratively in this case to ensure the safety of the students at Rancho Bernardo High School and all residents. I commend them for their outstanding work,” Police Chief David Nisleit said in a release.
Anders remains in custody at the San Diego Central Jail on $300,000 bail. His arraignment is scheduled for Thursday at the San Diego Superior Court.