A Santa Monica man was arrested over the weekend after allegedly making a false bomb threat aimed at the Coachella Music & Arts Festival — a massive, high-profile event that draws tens of thousands of attendees each year.
According to police, Davis Darvish was taken into custody after reportedly claiming responsibility for a bombing at the festival. Cathedral City police were called to the Agua Caliente Casino at around 10:40 a.m. on Saturday after receiving reports of a suspicious individual. Darvish allegedly made the alarming claim while at the casino, which is located roughly 17 miles from the Coachella festival grounds.
Authorities quickly traced Darvish through his Tesla vehicle, coordinating with both local law enforcement and festival security to ensure the safety of attendees. By noon, Palm Springs police had located and detained him. A thorough search of Darvish’s vehicle turned up no weapons, explosives, or bomb-making materials.
Despite the lack of physical evidence, Darvish was booked into the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio on a $1 million bail, under charges related to making a false threat of terrorism — a crime that can carry serious legal consequences, especially when directed at a major public event.
The bomb threat comes amid growing national concerns over public safety at large-scale gatherings and the misuse of emergency resources due to hoaxes and false alarms. Law enforcement officials have not released a motive but confirmed the investigation is ongoing.
The Coachella festival continued without disruption, though officials emphasized their commitment to heightened security measures and rapid response to all credible — and non-credible — threats.
