Arturo Gil, age 18, was arrested in connection to a Tucson Police Department investigation of terrorism hoax perpetrated by “Jihadi Jim”
against Star Academic High School. On November 15, 2015, just before 11:00 p.m., the Tucson Police Department received a 911 call from the principal of Star Academic High School reporting someone posted to the school’s Facebook page there would be a mass shooting the next day and bombs had been placed on the campus.
The post was also placed on the Facebook pages of the Sunnyside Unified School District and a local news station. Sunnyside security and Tucson Police Department officers responded to the school, located at 5093 South Liberty Avenue, and began the extensive investigation. The school was searched by officers and nothing was located.
The officers and together with detectives learned a subject going by the name “Jihadi Jim” posted to social media there would be a mass shooting on November 16, 2015 at Star Academic High School and two bombs had also been placed on campus in specific classrooms. The post demanded money and advised “this is not a joke”.
A search warrant was obtained and served in the area of South 12th Avenue and West Nebraska Street that afternoon. Five individuals were initially detained. Detectives conducted interviews and collected evidence. One of the five detainees, Gil was identified as the suspect.
Gil was arrested and booked into the Pima County Jail for Terrorism, a class 2 felony, and Hoax, a class 4 felony. His booking photograph is provided. The detectives are asking if anyone has additional information related to this incident to please call 88-CRIME (you can remain anonymous).