Burbank teen suspected in Twitter threat to shoot fellow student

A 16-year-old high school student was arrested in Burbank on Tuesday night after allegedly threatening on Twitter to shoot another student at his school, police said.

Authorities received several calls about the alleged threat about 6 p.m. Tuesday, Burbank Police Sgt. Darin Ryburn said. One of the callers identified the alleged suspect and victim both as John Burroughs High School students.

Though the alleged threat did not specifically name the alleged victim, the caller “knew who the suspect was talking about,” Ryburn said. The suspect “made specific threats toward that individual ... that he was going to shoot him,” Ryburn said.

The alleged threat also referenced the 1999 shooting at Columbine High School, where two students killed 12 others and one teacher before killing themselves.

Burbank police “acted immediately,” Ryburn said, and worked with the school district in their investigation. Officers arrested the suspect at his home and booked him on suspicion of making terrorist threats, Ryburn said. He was later released to his parents.

The school district did not immediately have a comment.

Burbank police said the incident appeared to be isolated.

Ryburn said he “really appreciated” those who contacted authorities after seeing the alleged threat.

“It’s huge for us to get that information right away,” he said.

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