Threat Locks Down Santa Rosa Middle School

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Authorities placed a Santa Rosa middle school on lockdown Tuesday after graffiti threatening students and staff was found in a boys' bathroom, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office. Staff at Willowside Middle School, 5285 Hall Road, called the sheriff's office at about 2 p.m. to report finding the graffiti, said sheriff's Sgt. Spencer Crum.

"Five deputies responded to the school, where they found the graffiti that threatened to kill everyone," Crum said.

School administration and deputies ensured that all students were safely locked inside their classrooms while parents were called to come pick up their children, the sergeant said.

The afternoon incident was the second involving graffiti at the school Tuesday, Crum noted.

"The first call came earlier in the day, when staff found vague writing that didn’t warrant such a response," Crum said.

Detectives with the sheriff's Violent Crimes unit responded to the school and are investigating the threat, the sergeant said.

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