Former Mater Dei High Employee Behind Threat To Campus: Police

SANTA ANA, CA — A former employee of Mater Dei High School was behind a "credible threat" that led the campus to close through Friday, the Santa Ana Police Department said Wednesday.

Santa Ana police spokesperson Sgt. Maria Lopez said the threat against Mater Dei was posted on social media. However, she declined to identify the former employee believed to be responsible.

No arrests have been made, and Lopez said it's unknown if the employee will be arrested.

"The school received a threat, nothing specific to the students, nothing in regards to shooting down the school or anything like that," She said.

The threat remains under investigation, Lopez added.

Mater Dei officials announced Tuesday it was closing campus through Friday and moving instruction online after officials "learned of a credible threat" to the school. The threat came only weeks before the school was supposed to let out for the summer.

In a joint letter sent to parents, Mater Dei President Michael Brennan and Principal Frances Clare said school officials conducted "safety and sweep protocols" after learning about the threat.

In a follow-up note sent Wednesday afternoon, school officials said the campus will reopen Thursday for anyone involved with "counseling, athletics, campus ministry, business office, activities, advancement and deans."

On-campus instruction resumes Monday in time for Mater Dei's final exams. Brennan and Clare said the school will have additional security on campus, including increased patrols from Santa Ana police in the surrounding neighborhood.

"While these few days have been difficult for all members of the community, know that all educators are here to ensure the safety and well-being of our students," Brennan and Clare said. "We are here for you."

The threat came only a week after an elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, that left 21 people dead, including 19 children.

Lopez said the shooting in Texas sent schools across the country on alert.

"You got to figure with the wake of everything going on, every school is on edge and will take any precautionary measure they can," she said.