Lockdown over at Torrey Pines High
UPDATE:Arrest made in school Internet threats
CARMEL VALLEY —A three-hour lockdown ended at Torrey Pines High School Thursday after police found no danger from an anonymous social media threat to shoot everyone at the school, authorities said.
Students who drove themselves to school were allowed to leave about 1:45 p.m. and parents then were allowed into the lot to pick up their non-driving students.
No one with a gun was seen, no shots were fired and no one was injured at the Carmel Valley school, San Diego police said.
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The Internet threat, posted on Yik Yak, was to shoot everyone at Torrey Pines High, police Lt. Kevin Mayer said.
A student’s father called police about 10:25 a.m. and said his son had texted him about a shooter being in a classroom, Officer Humberto Hernandez said. The boy sent a second text, saying someone had posted a comment on an online social media site that a shooter possibly was at the school.
What appeared to be the Yik Yak posting said, “I’m going to shoot all at tp tomorrow at 1155. You are warned.”
Many officers surrounded the campus and searched the grounds for hours. About 75 parents had gathered across the street from the school as of about 12:30 p.m., Mayer said.
Some students were being escorted by teachers out of classrooms shortly before 1 p.m. Over the next hour, more students were led to the gym. Students with cars were allowed to leave campus, then parents drove into the parking lot to get their teens.
Shortly before 2 p.m., the San Dieguito Union High School District posted this on its website as an update to an earlier message:
This is a message from Torrey Pines HS. As you know, this morning we received notice of an anonymous threat directed at Torrey Pines. Out of an abundance of caution and on the advice of law enforcement, we immediately went into lockdown. We are now beginning a phased release of students from school. Students who drove a car to school today along with any siblings will be released first and will leave campus - we’ve begun this process. All other students will be held in the gym until the student lot is clear. Until the student lot is clear no cars will be allowed on campus. Once the student lot is clear all other students can be picked up by an adult. Parents and students should communicate with each other directly regarding how each student will get home today. If you are coming to school to pick up students, you should go to the student parking lot, park your car in a parking space, and walk to the entry ramp near the administration building. Once you’ve arrived there, administration will release students to you. Students will only be released to adults, but these adults do not need to be the actual parent of each student - family members or neighbors may pick up students or groups of students. Again, please communicate directly with your student regarding how your student should get home today. We realize that this event may be frightening, but please be assured that our students are safe and that while this may be inconvenient, student safety is our first priority. This process of releasing students may take a while so we thank you for your cooperation and patience. All after school events scheduled to take place at TPHS today have been cancelled or moved to another site - info on this will come directly from coaches.
The school initially posted this message late in the morning:LOCKDOWN - TPHS is currently in a lockdown situation. We have an anonymous threat against the school so we have secured the students and staff in classrooms and we are working with SDPD to resolve the situation. Please do not call or come to school at this time as this will make it more difficult for us to implement our lockdown procedures.
School Principal David Jaffe then sent this email to students’ parents:
Dear TPHS Families,
We received an anonymous threat to school posted on Yik Yak. We have initiated lockdown procedures and are working directly with law enforcement at this time. This is a precautionary lockdown. As we need law enforcement to have open access to the campus we request you do not drive to campus until you are notified to do so. We will be posting updates on the school website. Again, this is precautionary.
Shortly after noon, the school district posted this:
On the morning of Thursday, November 20, 2014 Torrey Pines High School administration was made aware of an anonymous threat that was posted online. In consultation with the San Diego Police Department, the school was placed in lockdown status as a safety precaution. District and school staff are working closely with SDPD to ensure the safety of everyone on campus and to investigate the source and credibility of the threat. TPHS families have been apprised of the situation via email and phone messages and will be updated throughout the day. We ask that parents do not come to or call the campus unless directed to do so as this distracts law enforcement and school staff from ensuring the security of the campus. No after school activities will occur on campus today. Events that were scheduled to take place today at TPHS will either be moved to another site or will be cancelled. Coaches and advisors will communicate directly with students and families about the status of these events. Public updates on this situation will be posted on the school and district websites and via school and district Facebook and Twitter accounts.
