Man arrested after making alleged terrorist threats towards school staff
Ryan David Leslie.
–Ryan David Leslie of Santa Maria was arrested Tuesday after allegedly making criminal threats to Lopez High School after his son was suspended.
On Tuesday, deputies were called to Lopez High School in rural Arroyo Grande for a report of someone making threats against the staff at the school. A secretary at the school reported she had taken a phone call from a very irate father who was upset about the circumstances surrounding the recent suspension of his son from school.
During the course of the conversation, the secretary reported the father made several threats against the staff including, quote “I’m just gonna come shoot the school staff,” before hanging up. The secretary noted the caller ID number on the phone screen. She then informed the principal about the threats and the principal immediately placed the school on lockdown. The lockdown included only a few students and staff members since the school had already been dismissed for the day.
Deputies had staff call the man back and he proceeded to go on another profanity-laced rant and acknowledged he had made the previous call. The suspect was identified as Ryan David Leslie of Santa Maria. Through a follow-up investigation, a warrant was acquired by sheriff’s office investigators. Sheriff’s detectives were assisted by the Santa Maria Police Department who located Leslie later that night at his home, arrested him and then turned over to the sheriff’s office.
Leslie was booked into San Luis Obispo County Jail for making criminal threats with the intent to terrorize and committing a felony while released on bail.
Leslie has been the prior subject of the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office’s County’s Most Wanted.
