Man Arrested for Cyber Threats Against Area Schools

UPDATE 6:05 p.m., Monday, Dec. 17: Prosecutors today declined to file charges against a Pomona man who was arrested at his parents' residence on suspicion of making “violent threats against local schools'' on Facebook. (See Story.)

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office determined that Bangayan had not made any specific threats in his Facebook posting, which he apparently described as a joke.

"There is no reference to threatening actions toward any specific victim or school, which is required'' to move ahead with a prosecution, according to a charge-evaluation worksheet.

On Facebook, Bangayan warned that if people didn't stop posting about the shootings in Connecticut, he would do the same thing, according to an Internal report by Assistant Head Deputy District Attorney John Gilligan.

"He referenced that thousands of kids die in Third World countries every day'' and said Americans need to get over the shootings, according to Gilligan.

—City News Service

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The following report was published before the District Attorney's office decision not to file charges:

Los Angeles Police Department officers arrested a Pomona man on Sunday who made threats against Northeast area schools on Facebook and who had a stockpile of weapons at his parents' house in East Hollywood.

According to an LAPD press release, the threats were allegedly made by 24-year-old Kyle Bangayan of Pomona. The Facebook threats did not target any specific schools in the Northeast area, but did reference , police said.

Police reported finding nine firearms, including rifles, a shotgun, handguns and ammunition at the East Hollywood home where Bangayan was arrested in the 1200 block of North New Hampshire Ave. at about 11:15 a.m.

The arrest was made by Northeast Division officers in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Bangayan was arrested for criminal threats and booked at LAPD’s downtown jail. His bail has been set at $500,000, and the investigation is ongoing.

Police ask that anyone with information about this incident contact LAPD Northeast Area detectives at (323) 344-5731. During off-hours, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-527-3247. 

Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477. Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to www.lapdonline.org. and click on "Anonymous Web Tips.”

LAPD will host a news conference on Monday at 1 p.m. at LAPD headquarters downtown. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck and Los Angeles School Police Department Chief Steve Zipperman will address the arrest, as well as the city's annual gun buyback program and general school safety.