Felony weapons charges were filed Tuesday against a suspect who police say posted a possible threat of violence at Bell Gardens High School on social media.
Bell Gardens police were notified about the social media post on Sunday and arrested the suspect for alleged possession of a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school zone, carrying a loaded weapon in a vehicle or on one’s person and having a concealed firearm inside a vehicle, Capt. Ruben Musquiz said.
Police also found the suspect in possession of two stolen handguns, body armor and high-capacity magazines and ammunition, Musquiz added.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office initially rejected filing charges against the suspect but reconsidered after Bell Gardens Police Chief Scott Fairfield intervened and addressed the office’s concerns, Musquiz said.
Sgt. John Acosta of the Bell Garden Police Department said detectives tracked down 21-year-old Rene Alvizo, who was in a vehicle with another man. Police stopped the vehicle, and during a search, they discovered the weaponry, Acosta said.
The person who was in the vehicle with Alvizo was briefly detained, but he was released pending further investigation, police said. Alvizo and the second person are both allegedly local gang members, according to police.
Classes were held at the high school as usual on Monday.
Anyone with additional information about the case was asked to contact Acosta at 562-806-7632.