San Clemente Elementary, Middle School Shelter In Place Lifted: Police

SAN CLEMENTE, CA — Orange County Sheriff's Department had a 'shelter in place' on Bernice Ayer Middle School and Truman Benedict Elementary School, both in San Clemente Thursday morning, because of a threat made to the middle school.

Ryan Burris, Chief Communication Officer for the Capistrano School District, said the Sherriff's Department was still on the scene late Thursday afternoon, trying to determine the source of the voicemail message left on the middle school's attendance line.

A 'shelter in place' is different than a 'lockdown' because there is nothing direct causing the issue, Burris said.

This particular 'shelter in place' was implemented Thursday at approximately 10 a.m. Since both the elementary and middle schools share the same campus, they were both ordered to 'shelter in place.'

After the shelter was lifted, Burris said, school continued as normal. The Sherriff's office is continuing its investigation.