SLO High student arrested over Facebook posts with airsoft guns

A San Luis Obispo High School student has been arrested on suspicion of making a criminal threat after police were notified of some photos posted on Facebook.

The student, who is a juvenile and was not identified, posted multiple photos on his private Facebook account of himself in military attire while holding airsoft guns, which can fire small plastic BBs, San Luis Obispo police Lt. Jeff Smith said.

The photos, which were shared with a small group of friends on the student’s Facebook account, were seen Friday by a law enforcement officer, who notified the high school’s resource officer, Smith said. The student was taken into custody toward the end of that school day.

“There was an admission that the student had made a mistake,” Smith said, that the photos were “more playful banter with friends that understood the joking behind them, but on face value they were more serious threats that were concerning to the school and law enforcement.”

No specific threat was made, Smith said, and police determined it was not unusual for the student to have the military attire.

“But he made some references that were concerning while dressed in that attire and holding airsoft weapons, which can look realistic but are not threatening,” Smith said. Smith declined to expand on what comments were made.

The student was taken to Juvenile Hall. The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office would determine whether the charge is a misdemeanor or felony once it reviews the case. School officials could not be reached for comment Tuesday afternoon.

This story was originally published March 1, 2016 at 6:34 PM with the headline "SLO High student arrested over Facebook posts with airsoft guns."