Cypress College Classes Cancelled, Former Student Arrested: Cops

CYPRESS, CA — A Pico Rivera man has been detained after a threat to the Cypress College of Orange County cancelled classes, authorities said. The alleged threat, made by a former student, was deemed not to be credible after police researched the lead, however students were staying away, according to reports. The unnamed former Cypress student was taken into custody Monday morning for mental health evaluation in relation to the events that closed the school, Whittier police said.

On Sunday night, while many were watching the Oscars, the school cancelled classes, over social media reports:

"Students and employees are to stay off campus until notified otherwise. Police have received a credible report of a possible violence against the campus. Updates will be provided throughout the day and it is hoped that afternoon and evening classes will be held."

That message was followed early in the morning by a tweet: "The text/email distribution from the college on Sunday night is authentic. No classes will be held on the morning of Monday, March 5. We will update the situation before noon. Thank you for your cooperation."

Cypress College is at 9200 Valley View Street in Cypress but a police dispatcher directed calls for information to Whittier police or campus safety.

And about 7 a.m., Whittier police issued a statement indicating that a 24-year-old Pico Rivera resident had been taken into custody in connection with an "overnight unspecific threat to schools via text."

A spokesperson for Cypress College told media on scene that the man who was detained by officers had attended Cypress College as a student. It was also mentioned that classes would probably resume some time later Monday since the former student was no longer at large.

This is a developing story. More details will be added as they are released.

Google Map Image