2 Arrested In Connection With School Explosion, Police Say

PETALUMA, CA — Two students at Kenilworth Junior High School are accused of setting off an explosive device Wednesday inside a boys' bathroom, causing panic at the school and a heavy police response.

The Petaluma Police Department started receiving reports at 11:37 a.m. Wednesday about an explosion at the campus on Riesling Drive. Multiple callers reported hearing an explosion, followed by students running en masse from the school, Petaluma police Lt. Matthew Parnow said.

All available personnel from the Petaluma police and fire departments responded. As officers arrived, they were informed the explosion was heard near a bathroom next to the quad area.

School staff evacuated students to the blacktop while officers searched the campus.

An extensive search took place while the campus was under lockdown. Police sent a Nixle alert to the community urging the public to stay away from the campus and to shelter in place if near the school.

"At this time fireworks have been located and a large public safety response in the area," the Petaluma Police Department said in the Nixle alert. "Please avoid this area and shelter in place until further notice."

Officers soon determined the explosion was an isolated incident inside a boy's bathroom. A member of the Petaluma Police Department Crime Scene Investigations team processed the scene and found that a commercial-grade explosive device similar to an M-1000 was set off.

"Luckily, no students or school staff were injured during the incident," Parnow said.

The Petaluma Police Department's K-9 Pinky — a Labrador-Pointer mix and the newest member of the Petaluma Police K-9 Unit — is trained to detect and alert to explosives and firearms and was put to good use during the search.

"This was an unfortunate incident and our thoughts go out to the students and school staff," Parnow said.

Superintendent Harris Addresses Incident At Kenilworth Junior High School

Superintendent Matthew Harris confirmed the explosion on campus Wednesday.

"As suspected, the cause of the explosion was fireworks that had been set off in one of the student bathrooms," Harris wrote in a note posted to ParentSquare and the district website for Petaluma City Schools.

"Students and staff followed safety protocols and were evacuated to the blacktop while the Petaluma Police Department and the Petaluma Fire Department supported campus safety," Harris said. "There were no injuries and students have now returned to class."

Harris said an investigation would be conducted into who is responsible for setting off the fireworks and the district will hold those students accountable for their actions — with a focus on repairing the harm it caused the community.

"Thank you to our KJHS staff and community partners who came together to support the safety of KJHS," Harris said. "I know these incidents are scary for students and families and can be challenging to process. Our counseling and mental health teams are on campus to offer students additional support. If your student is experiencing increased levels of stress or fear related to this incident and your child would like to speak with a mental health counselor, please call (707) 778-4959 and leave a message — someone will get back to you promptly."

Alternatively, parents can contact the school-based mental health counselors directly or the site administration at their child’s school. For community services, parents are encouraged to contact their healthcare center or Petaluma People Services Center, Harris said.