Man accused of threatening to shoot children as they left California school, feds say
An Oklahoma man accused of calling in bomb threats to five different Los Angeles schools, as well as threatening to shoot children as they left one elementary school has been arrested, according to federal officials.
Marcus James Buchanan, 44, who grew up in Los Angeles, is charged with one count of making a threat via telephone to damage or destroy buildings by fire or explosives, according to a June 1 news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Central District of California.
Over the span of less than two hours on the morning of Feb. 28, Buchanan allegedly called two elementary schools, two middle schools and a high school and threatened to bomb them, officials said. During a call to one of the elementary schools, authorities said he also threatened to shoot children as they left the building.
On April 27 and 28, Buchanan allegedly again called in bomb threats to two of the schools he previously threatened, as well as threatened to fatally shoot children at other schools, the release said.
“There is a bomb at your school and we will shoot the kids when they get out of the school. That is what you get for not accepting me in ’86,” Buchanan allegedly said during a call to one of the elementary schools on April 27, according to the release.
The school employee asked who was calling, to which Buchanan allegedly responded, “If you try to find out, I will shoot you,” officials said.
Following the threat, the school notified police and went on lockdown, the release said. Upon searching the campus, police didn’t find any explosives.
The following day, April 28, Buchanan allegedly called the same school and said there was a pipe bomb on campus, the release said.Once again, the school went on lockdown and no explosives were found.
Later that day, Buchanan allegedly called a different elementary school, the release said.
“Stop playing games you know who this is. I am going to shoot the school. I know the kids are there,” Buchanan allegedly told school staff, according to the release.
As with previous incidents, the school was placed on lockdown, and no explosives were located, the release said.
Phone records showed the number called to make the threats was one associated with Buchanan, officials said.
Buchanan’s lawyer did not immediately respond to McClatchy News’ request for comment.
Buchanan’s detention hearing is scheduled for June 3, according to an email to McClatchy News from the U.S. Attorney’s Public Information Office.
If convicted, Buchanan faces a maximum 10-year prison sentence, the release says.
This story was originally published June 2, 2022 at 7:28 PM with the headline "Man accused of threatening to shoot children as they left California school, feds say."
