The feds arrested Marcus James Buchanan, 44, an Oklahoma man who grew up in Los Angeles, on a federal criminal complaint alleging that he telephoned bomb threats to five Los Angeles schools, including two elementary schools, and threatened to shoot the children as they exited one of the elementary schools. He faces a charge of making a threat through interstate commerce to damage or destroy buildings by fire or explosives.

            The prosecution alleges that, on the morning of February 28, Buchanan called in bomb threats to two elementary schools, two middle schools, and a high school in Los Angeles. In a call to an elementary schools, Buchanan allegedly threatened to shoot the children as they exited the building.  On April 27 and 28, Buchanan allegedly called in more bomb threats to two of the Los Angeles schools with new threats to shoot and kill children at other schools. 

 On April 27, Buchanan called an elementary school and said to a school employee, “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.” When the employee asked who was calling, Buchanan allegedly responded, “If you try to find out, I will shoot you.” The school staff notified police and placed the school on lockdown. Police searched the campus for explosives or unusual items but found none.

            On April 28, Buchanan allegedly called the same school again and said there was a pipe bomb placed at the school's address. After receiving the bomb threat, the school staff notified police and placed the school on lockdown. Police searched the campus for explosives or unusual items but found none. 

            That same day, Buchanan allegedly called a different elementary school and said, “Stop playing games you know who this is. I am going to shoot the school. I know the kids are there.” Afterwards, the school was placed on lockdown, but – as with all the incidents – no explosives or unusual items were found.

            A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.