Bomb Threats At Two South Bay Schools Deemed Hoaxes

GILROY, CA — Bomb threats issued Thursday at two South Bay schools have been deemed unfounded, Gilroy police said.

The incidents at Gilroy and Christopher high schools follow widespread false reports of active shooter incidents Wednesday.

Law enforcement agencies call such attempts to trigger an emergency police response on a false report “swatting,” and offenders are subject to criminal prosecution.

“These criminal incidents are being actively investigated by the Gilroy Police Department,” the agency said in a news release.

At about 9:30 a.m., Gilroy police school resource officers were informed of a possible bomb threat that had been circulated through electronic messaging at Gilroy High School. The threat was not specific to the school or exact location.

A search of the school was conducted with the assistance of a Santa Clara County Sheriff's explosive detection K-9 officer. No explosive devices were located, and the incident was determined to be a hoax.

Then, at about 1 p.m., Gilroy officers were informed of another possible bomb threat, this time at Christopher High School. A similar message had been circulated through electronic messaging at Gilroy High School. But again, police said the threat was not specific to the school or exact location.

A search of Christopher High School was conducted with the assistance of a Santa Clara County Sheriff's explosive detection K-9 officer. No explosive devices were located, and the incident was also determined to be a hoax.

At least five Bay Area high schools went under lockdown Wednesday morning amid reports of false active shooter reports, authorities said.

Wednesday’s hoaxes were reported at South San Francisco, Woodside, Lincoln (San José), Washington (San Francisco), McClymonds (Oakland) and Irvington (Fremont), The Mercury News reports.

Both Gilroy incidents are being investigate.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to contact Ofc. Dustin Odell at (408) 846-0403, or Ofc. Andrew Lopez at (408) 846-0324. Those wishing to remain anonymous may call the police department's tip line at (408) 846-0330.

— Bay City News contributed to this report