Threat Against Escondido High Football Game Under Investigation

Update:

ESCONDIDO, CA – A threat of violence at an Escondido High School football game is believed to be connected to an image of students at the school wearing T-shirts spelling out a racial slur that surfaced on social media, an officer said Friday.

On Thursday, an Instagram photo surfaced showing a group of nine students at a senior photo event with lettered T-shirts spelling the n-word.

Escondido High traditionally lets students wear lettered shirts to spell out pre-approved words with their friends for a senior photo, but nothing stops students from spelling out different words after the official photo is taken.

The next day, someone posted on social media threatening non-specific violence against Friday's football game at Escondido High School against Rancho Buena Vista High School, set for 7 p.m.

Officers became aware of the threat a little before noon Friday, Escondido police Lt. Chris Lick said.

Police didn't release the nature of the threat or on what social media platform it was posted.

"As an extra precaution, the Escondido Police Department will have additional officers at the football game," Lick said.

Escondido High's principal released a statement Friday morning condemning the students' use of the slur.

"We cannot allow the poor choices of others to take away from who we are and what we represent as a school and as a community," Principal Dr. Adriana Lepe-Ramirez said in a statement Friday. "It is now, more than ever, that we need to stand united in peace and in love. We cannot and will not allow this incident to define us or divide us."

Police and Escondido Union High School District officials were working closely to determine the validity and origin of the threat, Lick said.

– By City News Service

Original story:

ESCONDIDO, CA – Escondido police have received a tip about a possible threat against Friday evening's Escondido High School football game.

The threat is believed to have originated on social media, Escondido police Lt. Chris Lick said. Police are investigating the threat.

The department plans to deploy additional officers to the game as a precaution. The game is at 7 p.m.

Authorities advised the public to report any suspicious behavior at the game to school staff or police. Anyone with information about the threat is asked to call the police department at 760-839-4722.

Also see:

• Escondido School Principal Condemns Students' Use of Racial Slur

Image via Patch