Student in Custody After Prank Call About Person With Gun Prompts Lockdown of 2 San Dimas Schools
A student was taken into custody after a prank call regarding an armed person on campus prompted the lockdown of two schools in San Dimas on Thursday, authorities said.
The incident began just before 9:40 a.m. when the San Dimas Sheriff’s Station received a 911 call regarding a person with a gun at San Dimas High School, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Both schools were placed on lockdown as deputies searched the campus to verify the validity of the call, sheriff’s officials said.
After a sweep of the school, deputies determined there was no threat to either campus.
The incident was determined to be a hoax, and the student who placed the call was subsequently detained and taken into custody, according to the Sheriff’s Department. Authorities are not identifying the juvenile due the student’s age.
The Bonita Unified School District took to Twitter earlier to calm fears of a possible armed person on campus, saying that all students and staff were safe, and that every precaution had been taken to protect them.
The district reported they had been told by the Sheriff’s Department that call had likely been a hoax.
Meanwhile, many concerned parents could be seen waiting outside the school as deputies searched the campus. Some said they showed up after receiving a text message from their children.
“Very stressful, he texted us to let us know he was scared and they had them on lockdown, they had tables up against the door, and that he was freaking out,” one mother told KTLA through tears.
The uncle of another student said his niece first reported the school had been locked down because of a possible student with weapons in his backpack.
“Now we’re hearing that there’s two possible guys who do not come to this school that they’re hanging around in the basketball court with weapons also. So we don’t know what’s going on,” the man told KTLA as he awaited word from authorities.
A short time later, parents and guardians were allowed to pick up their children from school once they determined the call was a hoax.
Photo Credit: ktla.com