Father defends son arrested in Facebook threat to Pierce College
A 26-year-old ex-student of Pierce College was arrested Thursday after allegedly posting a threat on social media that prompted an evacuation of the campus, authorities said.
The father of a Northridge man arrested Thursday on suspicion of threatening Pierce College on social media came to his defense, saying he meant no actual harm.
Sergio Castanon Jr.’s father told KCAL that his son’s alleged actions are regrettable but at the same time said “there is nothing to worry.”
“I know my son,” he said.
The younger Castanon, 26, was arrested Thursday after allegedly posting a message on Facebook warning that a man with a weapon might appear at Pierce College, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The post, which was discovered late Wednesday, warned students not to attend class the next day and authorities determined there was an implied threat of violence, said Capt. Cheryl Newman-Tarwater of the sheriff’s Community College Bureau.
The threat prompted school officials to evacuate the campus and close it for most of the day.
Castanon, a former Pierce student, was not on campus during the incident or at the time of his arrest, authorities said.
An assault rifle, as well as several rounds of ammunition and a smaller-caliber weapon, were recovered from Castanon’s home, sheriff’s officials said.
Castanon was arrested on suspicion of making the threats, possessing high-capacity magazines and illegal ammunition.
For breaking news in Los Angeles and throughout California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA. She can be reached at veronica.rocha@latimes.com.
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