16-year-old arrested; planned capturing with explosives at Berkeley Excessive, police say

BERKELEY, Calif. - A 16-year-old boy was arrested after recruiting others to take part in a mass school taking pictures that would have included a bombing at Berkeley High College, police say. 

The teenager was arrested Monday, when he turned himself in to police, Berkeley Police Department stated in a press release. Monday was Memorial Day and there was no school that day. 

The boy was arrested on suspicion of possessing damaging device materials and threatening to commit a criminal offense which is able to result in loss of life or great bodily damage.

Police stated they obtained a tip on Saturday that the boy was recruiting others in plans of a capturing that included explosives. Following the tip, police obtained and executed a search warrant for a residence. 

Police did not say if the teen was a pupil at Berkeley Excessive College.

Upon executing the search warrant, police said they discovered components to explosives and assault rifles, several knives, and electronic gadgets that might be used to create further weapons. 

At that time, a warrant was obtained for the teenager's arrest. 

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"College safety stays a excessive priority for the division," police said in a press release. 

Particulars on whom the teen was attempting to recruit were not disclosed. Police stated this case remains under investigation. 

Berkeley Unified Supt. Brent Stephens informed the school's community that the district was in close contact with police during this investigation. 

After police confiscated the teen's weapon elements, the district relied on police experience to assess any potential ongoing threat to its schools. The district communicated with police on the student's whereabouts. 

"As added precautions during this period, we alerted our administrative and safety workers about this investigation and, as is our customary follow, maintained shut contact with our BPD Faculty Resource Officer on the Berkeley Excessive School campus," Stephens wrote. "Throughout the investigation interval, we had been assured that this individual didn't pose a direct menace to the Berkeley High School group."

The district is conducting their very own investigation on this matter. 

The district may pursue disciplinary action towards the scholar. 

In addition, a city corridor meeting titled: 'How you can Speak to Youngsters About College Violence' provided by Alameda County Office of Training is scheduled for Wednesday at 6 p.m.