Student detained in threats on area schools; most lockdowns lifted

Santa Monica police have detained a 19-year-old student believed to be connected to threats against at least six area schools.

Santa Monica police Sgt. Candice Cobarrubias said the student was located on the campus of Santa Monica College without a weapon and detained for questioning about 9:35 a.m.

Authorities were in the process of lifting the lockdown at the college and surrounding schools, she said. Lockdowns were also lifted at several schools in Monterey Park.

Sources familiar with the investigation said authorities were able to contact the student on his cellphone. Cobarrubias said police tracked him down using a name given to them by the California Highway Patrol.

The threats caused widespread chaos at numerous schools in Santa Monica and Monterey Park.

Several law enforcement agencies -- the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the CHP and Los Angeles, Monterey Park and Santa Monica police -- spent the morning trying to sort out the threats.

In Monterey Park, a gunman threatened to shoot up a large, unspecified school, which prompted the evacuation of East L.A. College and several schools in the area.

In Santa Monica, authorities said a caller suggested that a 19-year-old man would be on the campus of Santa Monica College with a gun and might kill himself.

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