Emailed Threat Against St. Mary's Came from Outside U.S., Deputies Say

A emailed shooting threat that led to the closure of a private elementary school in Aliso Viejo was sent from outside the United States, sheriff’s investigators said today, and although the threat is not believed to be credible, the school will remain closed on Thursday.

St. Mary & All Angels School, which serves about 800 students from kindergarten through eighth grade, was closed Tuesday and today in response to the threat, which was sent Monday.

The school was closed as a “strictly precautionary measure,” Orange County sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Hallock said.

Hallock said investigators determined the threatening email was sent from outside the country, and it indicated a shooting would be carried out by a third party at a time that has since passed.

“Investigators are continuing to work on verifying the identity of the author of the email threat,” according to the Sheriff’s Department. “However, based on information obtained during the investigation, there does not appear to be evidence to substantiate a credible threat to the campus. At this stage in the investigation, it appears the third-party name provided in the email is not a past or present student, faculty, staff, parent or alumni associated with the school.”

Although the threat is not believed to be credible, school administrators opted to cancel classes again Thursday.

An increased sheriff’s patrol will be on the campus, and deputies plan to work with the school to determine a safe time for classes to resume, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

--City News Service

PHOTO Patch file photo.