Threat Rumors At Elsinore School Investigated, Ruled Not Credible

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — A "potential threat" at Temescal Canyon High School in Lake Elsinore on Friday, allegedly which was to happen during a pep rally, prompted the cancellation of the event and a sheriff's department investigation, officials said. However, deputies ultimately found "no credible threat" to the safety of students and teachers.

"We dropped the rally as a cautionary measure, but the school schedule was normal," Lake Elsinore Unified School District spokesman Mark Dennis told City News Service. "We did not go on lockdown. Unfortunately, there were worried parents who picked up students to take them off of campus for the day."

Sheriff's Sgt. Glenn Warrington, who did not reveal many details about the threat, said the campus's school resource officer -- a deputy assigned to security -- learned of a potential plan for violence at the high school.

"Several uniformed school resource and patrol deputies were assigned to the campus to protect students and staff," he said in a news release. "An investigation ensued, and it was discovered there were no credible or viable threats. "

The pep rally had been set for 11:45 a.m. Friday.

"There was no credible threat. It was more rumor perpetuating rumor," Dennis said. "No one was sure that the pep rally was a target. But we had to make a decision rather quickly about whether to continue with it, and out of an abundance of caution, the decision was made to cancel."

Dennis said despite the "hearsay, word-of-mouth" nature of the rumors, , which may have started during a Snapchat conversation, the school district conducted robo-calls alerting parents and guardians to the circumstances.

"There was a trickle of students leaving for the rest of the day," Dennis told CNS.

He said the school district, like many others throughout the region and country, has been contending with "non-specific" social media threats that cause panic.

"Tensions have been high for the last few weeks, really since the mass shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland (Florida)," Dennis said.

According to Warrington, there are no suspects, and sheriff's officials have concluded their investigation.

— City News Service contributed to this report / Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone