AG Torrez proposes stiffer penalties for school shooting threats

RIO RANCHO — New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez made his way to Cleveland High School Tuesday to announce his proposal for new legislation concerning mass shooting threats made toward schools.

The new amendment, which Torrez says has widespread bipartisan support, targets Section 30-20-16, “Bomb Scares and Shooting Threats Unlawful,” and would change school threats from misdemeanors to fourth-degree felonies.

“It is not a reflection of our community values that you can make a threat like that against a school and get away with a misdemeanor,” Torrez said.

Torrez was joined by state Rep. Joy Garratt, Rio Rancho Police Department Chief Stewart Steele, Rio Rancho Public Schools Executive Director of Safety Sal Maniaci, Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina and Pojoaque Valley School District Superintendent Amy Suman for the announcement.

The proposal is in response to the spike in mass shooting threats made toward schools this year, though specific statewide numbers are not yet available.

“Not everyone realizes the number of these types of reports that we get ... but the impact that has is chaos,” said Steele. “Children are our most valuable asset, and not only do we need to protect them, but we need to protect the people who are educating our children. So, we need something with some teeth in it.”

According to a news release from Torrez’s office, “Just last month, schools in Albuquerque, Cimarron, Clovis, Las Cruces, Raton, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe and Taos received such threats. Each threat places significant strain on local officials, requiring extensive investigation and diverting critical resources that could otherwise address other urgent crimes.”

Though the legislation does not address the juvenile code directly, it would greatly increase the capacity of investigators to handle threats to schools and for prosecutors to move forward with these cases.

“No child of any age should fear going to school because they might get shot,” said Garratt (District 29), the amendment’s leading sponsor. “This legislation will not impact juvenile penalties but will assist law enforcement in protecting schools and school children.”

The Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), who receives most of these misdemeanor complaints, is permitted to resolve up to three misdemeanor cases “informally,” or without involving prosecuting authorities. Once a crime becomes a felony, CYFD is required to report to investigators.

Several speakers highlighted the damage mass shooting threats, also known as “swatting,” have on communities.

“Swatting threats do more than disrupt classes ... For many children, school is a lifeline, offering food, security and support. When these spaces are attacked, it’s an assault on our entire community. In New Mexico, where most counties are rural, our schools are vital to our children’s well-being,” said Suman.

The proposed legislation would include any large public venues, along with schools. It still needs to pass the state legislature and the governor’s office, but if passed, the amendment would take effect in July 2025.

“Together, we’re sending a clear message: New Mexico will not tolerate threats that terrorize our communities and endanger our children,” said Torrez.