Another hit list in Taft, another investigation, and another young man in trouble.
Yes, it's happened again and Sheriff's Deputies say it was yet another joke in bad taste.
It's the latest prank of its kind following a school shooting last month.
The latest prank was made by a student at Lincoln Junior High in Taft.
Over the weekend, the boy used his Smartphone to send threatening messages to eight other students using the popular app called "Kik."
But, deputies tell us they believe it was a prank.
In this digital age, there are many different ways to communicate through Smartphones. There are staples like Facebook and Twitter.
There are also others that allow the sender to hide his or her identity, like 'Kik' messenger.
Thats what deputies say the boy from Lincoln Junior High did. He sent threatening messages through the app, and one of those students contacted authorities.
"We learned that this student had received a series of threats, including a list of seven names of students who were going to be physically harmed at the school." said Sgt. Martin Downs, Kern County Sheriff's Department.
The student who made the threats was tracked down after deputies were able contact him through the app.
Deputies talked to his parents, who cooperated fully with the investigation.
"Interviewed him, interviewed his family, seized his cell phone. We found no credible evidence that he had any intention of harming these students, and he told us he was playing a prank." said Sgt. Downs.
According to a news release, deputies determined the student did not have access to any guns. And, there was no evidence of a real plan to harm his classmates.
The parents of the threatened students were contacted and advised of the investigation.
The student has been suspended and the case will be sent to the District Attorney's office.
There is no word on whether the student will be allowed back to school or if he will face any charges
