Canyon Charter Elementary is one of the top-ranked public schools in the state. One of the oldest public schools, the original school now serves as a library.
Canyon Elementary School went into lockdown on November 15 around 2:30 p.m. and then later the same day Kenter Canyon Elementary School also went into lockdown, according to Gates Security CEO Scott Wagenseller.
Both schools had received shooting threats.
Again, today, November 16, just before 2 p.m., Canyon parents received a new email from the school: “Our campus is on lockdown. Please understand that no one will be permitted on or off campus until the lockdown is lifted by LAPD. We will keep you as informed as possible.”
CTN learned an hour later that the lockdown had been lifted.
Initially, when Canyon was threatened, office personnel responded by calling 911, school police (LAPD) and a private security company.
Immediately, the private security officer patrolled the perimeter of the school and looked for any suspicious activity or individuals. Within 10 minutes, the police were on site also checking immediate surroundings.
Canyon Principal Nicole Sheard and Kenter Principal Dr. Irina Sugar emailed, texted and called parents to alert them about the situation.
Sheard wrote in a November 16 morning email that “There were lots of texts, calls and an incorrect Citizen post from a community member that heightened everyone’s fear. While this phone call was very unnerving, please know that there was never an armed individual in the vicinity of the school.”
Both principals are using the lockdown to fine tune safety procedures at schools.
At this time, the LAPD Watch Commander has determined the following:
- There does not appear to be a credible threat to the school.
- A police report has been filed.
- The investigation will be ongoing.
LAPD Crimes Unit is aware of the incident.
At 3:20 p.m. today, LAUSD Board Member Nick Melvoin said in a statement, “In the last few days a few LAUSD schools have received threatening phone calls. While all of them have been deemed non-credible, we take all threats seriously and will continue to have heightened security and protocols at those schools.
“It is a crime to make any threats against a school and we are working with law enforcement to identify the prank callers,” Melvoin said.
If anyone has information about the caller that made the threat, call LAPD’s 24-Hour Anonymous Tip Line (877) 527-3247.
Or call the Los Angeles Schools Hotline (213) 202-8605.
