Shooting Reported At Pasadena School Was A Hoax: Officials

PASADENA, CA — A report of a shooting at Blair High School in Pasadena Friday turned out to be a hoax, but authorities were taking no chances.

The threat was called in to police dispatch around 10:15 a.m. Friday, according to Pasadena Police Department spokeswoman Lisa Derderian.

The school, at 1201 S. Marengo Ave., just east of Arroyo Seco Parkway, went on lockdown and officers conducted a sweep of classrooms but found no threat, she said.

Nonetheless, officers were planning on having a visible presence for Friday's school dismissal, according to Derderian.

"Unfortunately, this seems to be more on school campuses throughout the country and although this one was a swatting call, school officials and students need to take it seriously as it was handled today until police can confirm the legitimacy," Derderian said.

Swatting is a term that refers to false crime reports that prompt a SWAT team response.

City News Service