16-year-old arrested; deliberate taking pictures with explosives at Berkeley High, police say

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

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

The boy was arrested on suspicion of possessing harmful system materials and threatening to commit a criminal offense which will result in death or great bodily damage.

Police stated they received 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 student at Berkeley High College.

Upon executing the search warrant, police mentioned they discovered elements to explosives and assault rifles, several knives, and electronic items that could possibly be used to create further weapons. 

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

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"Faculty safety stays a high priority for the division," police stated in an announcement. 

Details on whom the teenager was trying to recruit were not disclosed. Police stated this case stays beneath investigation. 

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

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

"As added precautions throughout this era, we alerted our administrative and safety staff about this investigation and, as is our standard follow, maintained shut contact with our BPD Faculty Useful resource Officer on the Berkeley High College campus," Stephens wrote. "All through the investigation period, we have been assured that this individual did not pose an instantaneous menace to the Berkeley High School neighborhood."

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

The district might pursue disciplinary motion against the coed. 

As well as, a city corridor assembly titled: 'How one can Discuss to Kids About School Violence' supplied by Alameda County Workplace of Training is scheduled for Wednesday at 6 p.m.