Editorial: A difficult situation, handled very well

Who knows what was going through the mind of the 12-year-old Twin Peaks Middle School student when he decided on Friday to send a threatening email to a school administrator?

Did the child, and that is exactly what he is, truly plan to shoot a named teacher and 23 unnamed students on Monday morning?

Did he really have access to weapons? (Police and his parents say he did not).

Did he think that getting several weapons and “3,000 rounds” of ammunition on campus was going to happen?

Did he understand that in making the threat he was breaking the law?

He does now.

Thanks to the efficient and well-coordinated efforts of local law enforcement and school personnel, the boy was apprehended on Saturday and classes were held on Monday with a minimum of disruption.

After reading the email Saturday morning, the school principal followed procedures and contacted the appropriate district officials. Working together with the Poway Sheriff’s Station, the Poway Criminal Apprehension Team and the Computer and Technology Crime High-Tech Response Team, the student was identified and taken into custody, before being admitted to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment.

In a statement released Monday through an attorney, the boy’s parents apologized for the incident and said their son is dealing with “emotional problems,” while also dealing with one parent’s battle with cancer. The boy will continue to receive mental health treatment, the statement said.

We feel for the parents and for the Twin Peaks faculty, staff and students who were impacted by the threat. Fortunately, that’s all it was.