Student Arrested For Threatening To Shoot, Stab School Staff In Yucca Valley

YUCCA VALLEY (CBSLA.com) — A student at a San Bernardino County high school has been arrested for threatening to shoot and stab staff members, officials said Thursday.

Matthew Ross, 18, was arrested Wednesday afternoon at Black Rock High School in Yucca Valley.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department was notified earlier that day by school officials that Ross "threatened to shoot, stab, and assault staff members" on Tuesday.

Deputies served a search warrant at the suspect's Twentynine Palms home, located in the 7700 block of Sahara Avenue, and found a loaded rifle, hundreds of rounds of rifle and shotgun ammunition, numerous large hunting knives, and crossbows, authorities said.

Officials said that during their interrogation with the teen, he made statements to make them believe he intended to use the weapons found at the home.

KCAL9's Tom Wait spoke to Ross' brother James who said his brother wasn't really a threat.

"What I'm trying to convey to the public right now is that he's not a threat to society, yes, he does have a temper, but he's a a sweet kid," said James.

Ross says he understands why police had to make the arrest but says his brother was mistreated at school.

"He was agitated to the point where he wanted to be left alone and the staff was not receiving that message. They didn't let him go to the sick bed or even send him home for the day," James said.

Ross says his brother is not capable of hurting anyone.

"The firearms in question I can't speak about that but I believe he had no intent to use them," he said.

Meanwhile, detectives said Ross was not making empty threats. He specifically named three teachers he was going to hurt.

"He was going to carry out this threat if we didn't do what we did yesterday," said San Bernardino Sheriff's Deputy Ericson Dominick.

Family and a neighbor concede the 18-year-old has some emotional issues.

Ross has been trying to cope with the death of his mother several years ago.

Ross faces criminal threat charges and his being held on $50,000 bond.

District officials say this is the first time Ross has made threats like this against staff members.