Menlo Park Police Officer Matthew Ortega was contacted by Belle Haven Elementary School officials on March 7, 2001 at 5:45 P.M. who reported to him that an 11 year old student had made violent threats towards the school's teachers. The threats had been made in the form of an essay assignment which when read by the teacher had greatly concerned her. Officer Ortega contacted the suspect's mother who was aware of the contents of the essay. Officer Ortega was told that the child had no access to weapons and had most likely written the essay to get "attention".

Because the teacher who had received the essay had already left the school for the day and was unavailable for interview the investigation was continued to the morning of March 8. Officers Albertson and Vasquez continued the investigation by re-contacting Belle Haven School Officials. After interviewing the suspect's teacher the officers went to the juvenile suspect's East Palo Alto home as the child was not at school. The child and his parents were interviewed and their home searched for any possible weapon. No weapons were found.

The juvenile was arrested for 422 P.C., Terrorist Threats, because of the detail in his essay and was booked into the Hillcrest Juvenile facility. Due to the age of the suspect no other information will be released. ####