Ex-Student, 18, Arrested in Threat to Cypress High

An 18-year-old was arrested Friday on suspicion of posting an Internet message threatening to go on a shooting rampage at Cypress High School, authorities said.

Police said Sean C. Pierce, a former student at the school, was arrested while investigators searched his parents’ home in the 9800 block of Valley View Street about 2:45 p.m. The arrest was prompted by a message on a Web site, police said.

Pierce was booked on suspicion of making a terrorist threat and was being held at Cypress Jail late Friday with bail set at $10,000, Cypress Police Sgt. Steven Ramsey said. The teen would be taken later to Orange County Jail, Ramsey said.

Police would not disclose the Web address or the contents of the message. Investigators traced the suspect through a search warrant requiring the Internet server operator to release information.

“On a routine basis, detectives usually check the Internet Web site where these anonymous messages are posted about the schools, and if the messages prove credible, the detectives will try to identify the offender,” Ramsey said.