Sonora man arrested over threats on Twitter to shoot students

A 20-year-old man was arrested for allegedly making threats to shoot students at Sonora High School, the Sonora Police Department said Monday.

Elijah Perez admitted to posting the threats on Twitter, police said.

Three students notified police on Friday around 7:20 p.m. of the threats made by Perez and showed officers the messages he sent on Twitter, police said.

The Twitter messages were all centered on Perez carrying out a school shooting, specifically targeting three students, police said. Police did not say whether the students specifically targeted were the ones who came forward.

In his messages, authorities said, Perez referenced being on the news and going to prison for killing students.

The three students thought Perez was going to target the “Every 15 Minutes” presentation at the school, which is being held Monday and Tuesday.

Officers contacted Perez at his residence regarding the threats. Perez admitted to making the threats via Twitter, police said. He also admitted to tweeting that he was going to shoot up the school, as well as target three specific students, according to police.

A search of Perez’s residence turned up a pellet gun.

Perez was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Tuolumne County Jail, where he was booked for felony making criminal threats. Police said they don’t believe anyone else was involved in the threats.

This investigation is ongoing.

This story was originally published April 11, 2016 at 10:10 AM with the headline "Sonora man arrested over threats on Twitter to shoot students."