Sonora, CA… It is very important for the public to understand this is a very sensitive and complex case. It is particularly unsettling when our most precious assets, which are our students and their teachers, are targets for violence. It would not have been possible to move forward with the investigation without the cooperation of the Summerville High School Administration, staff and students.

The facts are as follows: On September 30, 2015, Summerville High School’s administration contacted the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office reporting that three students were planning to shoot faculty members and students.

Tuolumne County Sheriff Deputies immediately began an investigation. During this investigation, detectives served two search warrants, interviewed staff, students and the possible suspects.

As a result of the investigation, detectives learned that a fourth student was also involved in the plan to attack staff and students. Detectives located evidence verifying a plot to shoot staff and students at Summerville High School. The suspects plan was very detailed in nature and included names of would be victims, locations and the methods in which the plan was to be carried out.

All four student involved have been arrested and turned over to the Tuolumne County Probation Department.

It should be noted that the families of the four arrested were cooperative with our investigation.

This plot was brought forward by students who noticed the suspects’ suspicious activities at school and reported what they had witnessed to school staff.

At this time I want to reassure the community that there is no further threat to the students or staff.

The names of the suspects will not be released due to the fact that they are juveniles. No further details will be released at this time.

I want to say that I am very proud of the men and women of my Office. They understood the seriousness of this case; they were proactive and acted quickly to insure there was no loss of life.

I appreciate the partnership with our schools and most importantly the collaboration which we undertake each day in keeping our community’s children safe.

It is important to understand the environment at Summerville High School. The students who noticed the suspicious activity felt comfortable enough to bring this information to the attention of school staff. Their willingness to get involved and report what they saw prevented what very well could have been another needless tragedy.

I want to thank Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools Margie Bulkin, Tuolumne County District Attorney Laura Kriege and Summerville High School Superintendent Robert Griffin for their for their assistance throughout this investigation and their commitment and leadership to keeping our children safe.