High School Evacuates After Explosive Device Found On Campus

THERMAL, CA — Coachella Valley High School was evacuated Friday after a potentially explosive object was found on campus.

The "handmade explosive object" was found Friday morning behind the industrial building on Airport Boulevard, according to a CVHS statement. CVHS administration notified the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, and the evacuation ensued.

According to Lt. Deirdre Vickers, deputies were dispatched to the 83000 block of Airport Boulevard shortly before 8:15 a.m. regarding a bomb threat. "The location is being evacuated, and the Riverside Sheriff’s Hazardous Device Team has been requested at the scene," she said. This is an ongoing investigation, and no additional details are available at this time.

The students on campus were taken to other locations, the Coachella Valley Unified School District said, and faculty and support staff were also evacuated.

"Students and staff were transported to two school sites using buses, with freshmen, life skills students, and students with medical needs leaving for Cahuilla Desert Academy and sophomores, juniors, and seniors going to Desert Mirage High School," according to the Coachella Valley Unified School District.

Frances Esparza, CVHS acting superintendent, told reporters that the device resembled a "makeshift, handmade type of pipe bomb" made from hardware store materials.

It was not immediately clear whether the device was real or a prank. Patch has requested more information from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department and will update this report when it is received. The administration has also promised to provide additional updates as they become available.