Shelter Orders Lifted After Bomb Scare At Novato High School

Update: Police in a 2:54 p.m. alert said the campus is secure and that no devices were located.

From the Novato Police Department:

On Friday, April 15th, 2022 at 11:44 AM, the Novato Police Department received information directly from a School Resource Officer that a written bomb threat was found on the Novato High School campus and reported to Novato High School administration. The note indicated that there was a bomb on campus in a school gymnasium. The school gymnasium was immediately evacuated, and students and staff were asked to shelter in place while the threat was investigated. Novato Police Officers responded to secure the campus and investigate the threat. A search of the gymnasium, surrounding buildings and open areas of campus was conducted with the assistance of the California Highway Patrol Explosives Detection canine. No suspicious devices were located during the search. Investigators learned that earlier in the morning there was an Easter Egg Hunt on campus for students where candy and free prom tickets were hidden inside of Easter eggs. The note located was found inside of an Easter Egg hidden on campus, which was not part of the school planned event. Ultimately the threat was determined to have no merit and no explosives or suspicious items were located on campus. Students were released from the shelter in place upon conclusion of the campus search. During this incident, we worked closely with Novato Unified School District Staff to resolve this incident. We work in partnership with the Novato Unified School District to ensure safe campuses for students and rely on diligent reporting of suspicious incidents to ensure the safety of students and staff. We appreciate your patience while we worked through this incident. If you have any information regarding the origin of this threat, please contact the Novato Police Department and reference case NP22-1327

NOVATO, CA — A bomb threat at Novato High School has triggered shelter-place orders, police said in an alert issued at around 12:30 p.m. Friday.

Authorities are on the Novato campus investigating the threat, according to police.

The Novato Police Department is advising the public to avoid the area until further notice.

“We are working closely with Novato Unified School District staff to determine the merits of the threat made,” police said in a statement.

“Student and staff safety is our top priority during this incident.”

No additional information was immediately available.