A 16-year-old male student at Mira Costa High School was arrested on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 3:40 p.m. at his Manhattan Beach residence for allegedly making criminal threats and possessing marijuana for sale, according to the MB Police Department. Detectives, acting on a tip, made the arrest without incident.

The juvenile is reported to have made threatening statements toward school staff and students. "They were indirect [threats]," said Stephanie Martin, MBPD's public information officer, and not made directly to the threatened individuals. 

Mira Costa was not locked down and a campus search was not made because there was no "imminent danger" said Martin, adding that MCHS Principal Ben Dale and MBPD School Resource Officer John Loy worked very quickly with MBPD.

Police made the arrest after interviewing witnesses and the student in question, according to a letter from Manhattan Beach Unified School District Superintendent Mike Matthews sent to employees and parents.

Matthews' letter also said all individuals whom the threats were made against had been notified of those threats and that school officials would work with them to offer support.

The arrested student has been suspended from Mira Costa, pending a recommendation for expulsion, said Matthews.

The 16-year-old male was arrested, booked and released to his parents. Martin said she believed his mother was home when the arrest was made. The youngster will be asked to appear in Juvenile Court in Inglewood within 60-64 work days of his booking, said Martin, standard practise for a juvenile who does not remain in custody.