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Jillian Danielson Photo/Special to the News-Herald The Lake Havasu City Fire Department's rapid response team is staged at a church on Rainbow Avenue while police investigate a bomb threat at Lake Havasu High School Friday. Shown left to right are Diane Myles, of the Lake Havasu Police Department, Mike Reynolds, Lake Havasu City police and Div. Chief Joe Davis, Lake Havasu City Fire Department. In the background are, left, Gail Malay, Lake Havasu Unified School District superintendent and Cathy Cox, principal of Lake Havasu High School.

Bomb threat clears high school

By DIANA PARKER
Friday, January 9, 2009 10:30 PM MST

A 17-year-old boy police believe to be affiliated with the C.I.D., or Criminals Initiating Damage, street gang was arrested Friday after he allegedly e-mailed a bomb threat that shut down Lake Havasu High School.

The threat turned out to be unfounded.

Police took the boy into custody about six hours after administrators at the school read the threatening e-mail and notified police. After evacuating the school by releasing students for the day, authorities were able to trace the e-mail to a computer at the boy’s residence on North Palo Verde Boulevard, said Lake Havasu City spokesman Charlie Cassens.

“It was really quite amazing, with modern technology, phones and e-mail, that really no one can escape anymore,” LHHS Principal Kathy Cox said.

According to Cassens, the boy’s e-mail, which was time-stamped 11:57 p.m. Thursday and sent to several people at the high school, claimed three devices were planted at the school timed to detonate at 12:20 p.m. Friday.

Cox said she didn’t read the e-mail until about 8 a.m. Friday, by which time Assistant Principal Dale Genger had already notified police.

School officials worked with law enforcement to implement an orderly release of the students by 11 a.m., Cox said. Parents were notified through an emergency calling system and students were allowed to use their cell phones to arrange rides home.

“I’m really proud of the students, how they conducted themselves,” Cox said. “The parents were just great. We want to thank them.”

The threatened time of an explosion came and went without incident, Cassens said, and police took the suspect into custody at about 1:45 p.m. While authorities interviewed the boy, bomb technicians and specially trained dogs systematically searched the school and found no explosive devices.

The streets around the school were closed until about 2 p.m.

Cox said the suspect is a former LHHS student but no longer attends the school. He was one of a group of juveniles involved in a vandalism spree at the high school a year ago, Cassens said.

The boy has been charged with threatening and intimidating, a class-3 felony, disruption of an educational institution, a class-6 felony and participating in a criminal street gang, a class-2 felony. He was remanded to Mohave County juvenile authorities in Kingman.

The investigation is ongoing to determine if anyone else was involved in the bomb threat, Cassens said.

You may contact the reporter at dparker@havasunews.com.

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Reader Comments

locog wrote on Mar 10, 2009 11:27 AM:

" released on 5 grand bail.
hes out already. "

mommamia wrote on Jan 23, 2009 2:50 PM:

" to the commen sense lady or man. If you were smart than you would see that no student left behind means extra tutoring and extra help for those students struggling and also everyone that didn't get a call, maybe you should let them know your new number. The school did what he can. I also hope your kid is big enough to find his own way home or has your number to call for a ride. Get over it lady "

VoiceOfReason wrote on Jan 17, 2009 6:56 PM:

" This is actually in response to the follow up article about the reason some parents didn't get calls, but there have not been enough posts on that one, and I didn't want my comments lost again.

I am astounded that there have been so few posts regarding the apparent "ball dropping" at the high school, and Mrs. Cox's attempt to shift the blame to the company. Surely I can't be the only one to read that the high school had not provided updates to the company, despite attempts from the company to obtain them. Who didn't do their job??? Obviously someone is responsible, but ultimately it falls to the principal to oversee that staff are doing their jobs.

My favorite part was that Mrs. Cox plans to write a letter asking for a REFUND for the fees paid, because the mass call-out didn't work properly. Is this the kind of personal responsibility they are teaching at LHHS? If you mess up, find someone else to blame and get your money back at the same time. What a joke.

But the bigger joke is that no one seems to have a problem with it. People will argue on here over dog parks for days, but relatively few people even notice that a service paid for by taxpayer money, didn't work properly because the school messed up and now is trying to pass the buck.

People, let's get our priorities straight. And to the leadership at LHHS, how about holding yourselves to the same standards that you hold the students (at least I hope you are holding them to high standards.) "

Ivehadit wrote on Jan 17, 2009 3:08 PM:

" JM-talk of the "master of none." The article did mention the kids being allowed to use "their cell phones" which at one time was a big no-no. That brought out the discussion. Read the article, analyze and contribute rather than attack the writers. I agree, now its a mute point due to the low wattage emitted by the higher freq. phones but it doesn't hurt to keep a conscious mind when dealing with the unknown. "

LHCMOM wrote on Jan 17, 2009 8:51 AM:

" Havasu Girl...you have a good point. These threats need to be taken seriously. As for prevention, it needs to start with faculty listening to those students who are getting "picked on" by the bullies of the school. Whether it's from the girls who pick on other girls because they don't look like everyone else or the boys who pick on other boys because they like Star Wars and not football. When students get bullied they hold it inside and let it fester because they know that nothing will be done by the faculty to stop it and in some cases it makes the bullying worse. Sooner or later the one being bullied is going to blow...and hurt alot of innocent people in the process. Bullying happens, I know that, but it needs to be taken as serious as a bomb threat or the incidents like Columbine and Virginia Tech will happen over and over again. "

JM wrote on Jan 17, 2009 12:34 AM:

" Is everyone done flexing their muscles with the "cell phone" issue? Or rather non-issue.... Trying to figure out what the point of the EMI banter was. It was nowhere to be found in the article. Another case of a jack of all trades and master of none it seems. Thank god you got into a meaningless argument over a make believe issue!!! "

mcaguilar43 wrote on Jan 16, 2009 2:54 PM:

" I would hope the council would listen to havasu girl and her imput at the retreat. I am a ff and witnessed the aftermath at CI High School in Oxnard a few years ago. Violence in the schools needs to be addrssed asap, that is why i said it is serious issue that needs to be looked at by the whole community. Mr. Mayor, please don't wait till its too late. "

Havasu girl wrote on Jan 16, 2009 11:04 AM:

" I agree with "mcaguilar"these threats need to be taken seriously. I know first hand.I was on the campus of columbine when the shootings occurred.There were several threats to columbine and students that attended the school before the shooting that were never taken seriously.it makes you wonder if something couldve been prevented.
It could be some dumb kids messing around but it makes you wonder why these thoughts are even going through their heads unless they are really planning on doing something. Its a very scarey thought and every single threat that comes in needs to be taken seriously. lets not have a repeat of those events, the anniversary is coming soon i hope they are not planning something now that can take place then.
and all this arguing about the cell phones is silly put yourself in their position as a student or a parent. i know when i was trapped in the library at columbine there was one cell phone that was working that everybody called from. "

Had it with Havasu wrote on Jan 16, 2009 9:48 AM:

" A quick note on EMI.

There is a cell tower just to the west of the High School. The RF energy spewing from that makes any handset inconsequential. Also consider ubiquitous wifi, bluetooth and other wireless controls, the PC's themselves, etc.

Prior to the early 90's the majority of two way radio equipment broadcast at low frequency and high power. Todays systems are low power and high frequency, Amateur radio the exception.

Additionally, the RF noise floor is so high now that any trigger not shielded and isolated is going to go off before it is ever placed.

The whole discussion is moot.

Now to the response. It is people doing their jobs. There is no measure of how well they did their jobs as nothing was accomplished. It was an exercise. Bomb threats at schools are very common and that has led to complacency. Just as there is a driver education program demonstrating what happens when a car is no longer in control students should be shown what happens when someone makes a bomb threat. Make it humiliating and passe so it isn't cool to some undereducated slacker. Address it as an issue because it is going to happen again. Ignoring it and waiting for the next one just means that sooner or later some one is going to figure out how to do it for real. "

Ivehadit wrote on Jan 16, 2009 7:44 AM:

" CommonSense and Northbound: While you two both have points for consideration, most often "It is better to error on the side of caution." Meaning while the cell phones do emit some form of EM pulses, they are extremely lower than when first developed. Subsequently, the relaxed use of cell phones. However, the school should announce the students not use the cell phone until they are at least three hundred feet from any building as a precautionary measure. Just my two cents from 30 years of experience- "

CommonSense wrote on Jan 15, 2009 4:07 PM:

" just to be clear on something - my info IS current with the HS.
I actually do have experience in EOD - I served in the USMC for 15 years and I am well aware of what concerns there are in a 'bomb" situation.
Until it is determined what type of trigger the bomb has ALL EM transmissions should be stopped. "

northbound wrote on Jan 14, 2009 2:50 PM:

" CommonSense: (School officials worked with law enforcement to implement an orderly release of the students by 11 a.m., Cox said. Parents were notified through an emergency calling system and students were allowed to use their cell phones to arrange rides home.)

Maybe those parents who didn't get a phone call should update their emergency phone number contact with the school so should something ever happen again the auto dialer has the correct phone number to call. Did anyone ever stop to think 1. how many phone numbers can be stored in this system? 2. Does the system have updated emergency contact numbers? (people move,get different jobs and get different cellphones. 3. They allowed the students to use cell phones to ARRANGE RIDES HOME this was done after it was safe to do so. EMtransmissions: Any cell phone use or ht (hand held radio) by law enforcement or ems could set of a bomb that is why when law enforcement/ems arrive on such a call they turn off their ht's/cellphones till search is over. This has been my experience on the other side of the radios 12 years now. Good job LHHS,LHPD/FD "

mcaguilar wrote on Jan 13, 2009 5:35 PM:

" A bomb threat is super serious...it can be a test run of a real event.
The individual should be charged as a
gang member with special circumstances as a terrorist. Remember other high schools that have faced these types of situations. It should be a wake up call for school officials and the local law enforcement. A few months ago the local pd was seeking equipment to mitigate explosives, it should be looked at again. "

joec wrote on Jan 12, 2009 2:58 PM:

" “It was really quite amazing, with modern technology, phones and e-mail, that really no one can escape anymore,” LHHS Principal Kathy Cox said." That's a pretty ignorant statement right now. I however see that a reality in another 15-20 years. "

ttracy wrote on Jan 12, 2009 2:08 PM:

" Kudos to the school, LHCPD, and city workers for a job well done. Those weren't all police out there trying to keep concerned parents from running barracades to get to the school. No need to comment on that, I was a little scared too. Now judicial system do your job and charge this guy as an adult and be rid of him for a while. I also received phone messages on my cell, home and work by the schools system. Maybe start calling a little sooner, but I think it worked pretty good. "

girl_56 wrote on Jan 12, 2009 10:41 AM:

" OH AND BY THE BAY CID IS FAKE THEY ALL MADE IT UP TO TRY TO BE REAL "WANA-BES"... "

Arliss wrote on Jan 12, 2009 10:09 AM:

" The kid was an idiot to think he could get away with it!
EVERYTHING done on the internet is traceable, unless you happen to be a computer genius. "

samii wrote on Jan 12, 2009 7:00 AM:

" To 5293, I remember that bomb threat. The school was stupid to make us sit in the football field. And then send us back. But i guess thay freaked and did not know what to do. Well this time they were a little more prepared. I think that moron should be tri as an adult.. All they want is attention and somwone to acknoledge him. "

ichoptops wrote on Jan 11, 2009 6:45 PM:

" CID isn't a REAL "street gang". It is a general name taken on by POSER wannabe bangers. This kid is a punk. He is about as sharp as a sponge. He tapes himself vandalising then emails a bomb threat from his HOUSE. This is the type of moron we all laugh about when they rob a bank but fill out a withdrawl slip with their real name. The only REAL threat he brings to the table is when he actually does build a bomb and blows himself up. If he ever did join a real gang, he would wet himself right before running home crying to mommie. "

Jammin James wrote on Jan 11, 2009 6:05 PM:

" I thought C.I.D. was short for Cubic Inch Displacement. I guess that's because I'm a Gear Head and not a Crack Head! Stupid Wannabe Gangsters!
17 is old enough to know better. Tri him as an adult! We need to let these punks know that we're not going to let this happen in Havasu!!! "

lhcff13 wrote on Jan 11, 2009 12:38 PM:

" EM transmissions??? Sounds like you watch alot of CSI or something...Someone would have to put the cell phone right next to the bomb, then maybe, by some freak accident it may go off...Before you post nonsense you should at least look up the info on the Net first...Take it from a EOD specialist...Impossible...Maybe you could give Mythbusters a call if you don't believe me... "

Nightfalls wrote on Jan 11, 2009 7:46 AM:

" I think they should have said something on the radio or something, and the cell phone thing is not a problem because they were calling from the parking lots and the football field. I have to agree is this CID a real gang or just a few kids calling their click a gang. "

5293 wrote on Jan 11, 2009 5:43 AM:

" At least they released the kids this time - when I was a senior (about 2 years ago) there was a bomb threat called in, and the school was told that a cell phone would set it off, so they took everyones cell phones, and made us sit on the football field for about 4 hours, and then sent us back to class. What if the bomb was still in the school? They told us that they searched for it, and hadn't found anything, but they had to send us back to class because if we were out of class any longer, they would have to send us home. Ridiculous. We were all scared that it was still in the school. "

bradley wrote on Jan 10, 2009 10:15 PM:

" Why did you block my remark "must have had a test that day"? "

LHCMOM wrote on Jan 10, 2009 9:13 PM:

" I have a student at the High School. Not only was I notified on my cell phone but they also called my work. Also, I heard it on the radio at approx. 11 am. I'm sure that some parents were not notified and this is something the school needs to work on. Not everything will run perfectly all the time.

However, where my concern lies is...why did they wait 3 hours to finally release the students? They should have been released as soon as the threat came through, especially if the object was to go off only an hour and 20 minutes later. Not good thinking on the schools part. But then again, our school system isn't exactly the best.

Kudos to the LHCPD for finding this idiot! "

Ivehadit wrote on Jan 10, 2009 6:11 PM:

" Common Sense-those EM transmissions while dangerous do not have the radius from where the students were allowed to call from I'm reasonably sure. No system is fool proof and if parents did not receive calls, it becomes their responsibility to notify the school to prevent similar notification failures in the future. Situations as this one test systems, personnel, wherein awareness and knowledge are gained each time. Be thankful this stuff has not become routine. "

xcrystal_firex wrote on Jan 10, 2009 2:46 PM:

" if anyone knows who did this you should post it on here because i would really like to know "

CommonSense wrote on Jan 10, 2009 10:01 AM:

" This story is such BS. The Auto dialer did not reach most parents. Every parent I know who had children in the school did NOT receive a call from anyone. We all found out through various friends and relatives.
I, personally did not find out until almost 1 pm... no clue. How was my kids released with no parent to pick him up?
And how irresponsible for the school to allow the use of cell phones while there was an active bomb threat - many such devices can easily be triggered by EM transmissions...
Soooooo, NOT so good a job LHHS... once again.
And I thought that Thunderbolt was bad with their No Student (that we want)left behind policy...
Onions on this one!! "

blazo wrote on Jan 10, 2009 9:59 AM:

" Here's what I'd do to the little thug:

Build a box out of plexiglas or lexan and toss the punk in it. Stick the box on McCulloch where everyone can drive by and see him.

Graffiti paint CIV on the outside of the box so folks can recognize his gang affiliation.

Did I mention I wouldn't put any kind of sun shade over the box? "

Triple J wrote on Jan 10, 2009 9:27 AM:

" lol what an idiot. Does he not know what year it is? He could have at least done it from the library or anywhere that's NOT his house haha. Tard. "

Ivehadit wrote on Jan 10, 2009 6:03 AM:

" Robberies, Bomb Threats, graffiti,,sure sounds like initiation of others for admission into Criminals Initiating Damage. Now is the time to put a stop to it. To the Parents of some of the kids involved, if you have any sense at all of what your kids are doing, your responsibility does not end when they walk out your door. If you don't know what your kids are doing, its your responsibility to find out and take action. The risk of every one's safety is to great to think this is just childish pranks or play. "

dubld wrote on Jan 9, 2009 11:36 PM:

" I've always wondered what would happen to someone that did this, then were to be caught. This happened at a junior high I was attending in Pomona California(along with several shootings). It also happened a couple of times while I was attending Parker high school. I guess this goes to show how serious these kinds of pranks/hoaxes can be nowadays(I graduated in the '90's).
Granted, this was a dumb thing to do.
I've got to ask though, this 'CID street gang', is it actually a true street gang?(It'd be nice to see in the paper a true report of actual gangs operating or existing in the city). Or is this kid getting the book thrown at him for anything & everything? The article refers to a crime spree a year ago at the school, maybe that group of juveniles is this 'gang'? Just wondering... "

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