A 39-year-old convicted felon was arrested Thursday after allegedly punching three female athletes during a girls’ basketball game in Corona and threatening students with a gun, police said.
The incident was reported around 8:35 p.m. Jan. 24 after a fight broke out during a basketball game at Centennial High School against Santiago High School.
Witnesses told police that two students from both teams were involved in a fight on the court, and when the altercation was over, the stepfather of one of the players allegedly punched three girls before being restrained. One of the girls was 14 years old, police said.
The suspect left the gym and witnesses heard him mention he was getting a gun, police said.
That’s when the suspect walked to the parking lot and allegedly got a gun from his vehicle. He then allegedly pointed the gun at several students and threatened to shoot them before driving away.
The suspect was eventually identified as Thaddis Brooks of Perris, who was described as a convicted felon.
Officers searched his home, and while no gun was located, authorities found more than 40 dogs on his property, police said.
He faces the following charges: willful harm of a child, making terrorist threats and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
As far as the dogs, authorities later said that Brooks is a licensed breeder and that the animals — mastiffs, cane corsos and bulldogs — are in good condition.
He is being held on $350,000 bail.
Brooks had previously been convicted of making criminal threats and felony narcotics charges, officials said.
The Corona-Norco School District said it will enact new safety measures at athletic events after the violent incident.