July 13, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Details Emerge In Santa Monica College Threat That Caused Thursday Lockdown:

Santa Monica police learned of the potential threat of a gunman on campus at Santa Monica College’s main campus at 8 am Thursday.

SMPD Sgt. Richard Lewis said the department received information from the Los Angeles Police Department that a male subject claiming to be a student attending Santa Monica College, had called and was threatening to shoot up the school and kill himself.  

LAPD told the SMPD the caller had made references to several other schools located in the City and County of Los Angeles as well.

Using information provided by LAPD, officers from the Santa Monica College Police Department were able to confirm that the person of interest was in fact a Santa Monica College student and was scheduled to have a class on campus Thursday.

“Based on the information received, Santa Monica College, along with John Adams and Will Rogers Middle Schools, which are adjacent to the college, were placed on lockdown,” Lewis said. “A perimeter around the school was put in place and as officers were being deployed onto the campus, information was received that the suspect was on campus and had walked into the Psychological Services Office for assistance.”

Lewis said officers responded to the location and detained the subject of interest without incident.

At 8:46 am Thursday morning, SMC students were notified via the college’s email alert system that “Santa Monica College will be on lock down until further notice. Please stay away from the campus until notified of clearance.”

SMC’s student newspaper The Corsair reports that the suspect, who was already on campus for an 8 am class, received the mass message sent out to all students that morning about the lockdown. The Corsair says the student knew the lockdown was in connection to him and proceeded to turn himself in to SMC Psychological Services.

No weapon was found on the 19-year-old student when he was taken into custody at 9:35 am.

SMC District officials officially lifted the lock down as of 9:42 am.  

“Campus Police have detained the student who made the threatening phone call to the college campus,” an email to the student body read. “All classes and activities should return to their regular schedule.”

The man arrested at SMC is suspected of causing panic in Monterey Park where the East Los Angeles College campus and several neighboring schools were locked down Thursday morning at 8 am after authorities received a call from a suspect threatening to shoot up a large, unspecified school.

Lewis said the investigation is on-going and involves several local and county agencies.  

“At this time, the Los Angeles Police Department will be the lead agency for this investigation,” Lewis said.

Lewis said the student was suicidal, but had no apparent suicidal history.

in News
<>Related Posts

County Health Leaders Decry Federal Policy Barring Undocumented from Programs

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The officials argued the policy jeopardizes care for all residents, noting it could deter people—regardless of status—from seeking treatment  Leaders...

County Supervisors Move to Preserve Measure J Amid Charter Error

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Measure J mandates that at least 10% of the county’s locally generated, unrestricted funds be allocated to community investments like...

LA Medical Center Seeks Help Identifying Unconscious Patient

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

He has been unconscious since admission, and staff have been unable to determine his identity Los Angeles General Medical Center,...

Mayor Bass Issues Directive to Protect Immigrant Communities

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The order expands access to city resources for affected families and requests records from ICE, including details on arrests Mayor...

Downtown Santa Monica CEO Andrew Thomas to Step Down

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Thomas, who rejoined DTSM, Inc. in 2022, oversaw the introduction of a private security program, expanded homeless outreach, and boosted...

Conservancy to Tour Historic Miles Playhouse at State of the City Event

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Built in 1929, the Miles Playhouse serves as the centerpiece of Lincoln Park The Santa Monica Conservancy will offer 15-minute...

Sen. Ben Allen Highlights Challenges, Economic Gains for LA28 Olympics

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

The remarks came during the first informational hearing of the Senate’s Special Committee on International Sporting Events State Sen. Ben...

(Video) Summer Camp at School of Rock West LA Turns Kids Into Rockstars

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

To Sign Up Now, Go To Schoolofrock.com Summer Camp at School of Rock West LA Turns Kids Into Rockstars To...

L.A. Louver Marks David Hockney’s 88th with Exhibit

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Hockney, a British artist born in 1937, gained fame with the British Pop Art movement and later became known for...

Suspect Arrested in Shoe Retail Theft Spree Across LA County

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

During the search, police recovered two firearms and a significant quantity of merchandise The Los Angeles Police Department’s Organized Retail...

Suspect Arrested in Santa Monica Pier Arson Incidents

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The suspect, matching video footage from an arcade, was taken into custody Santa Monica Police Department officers arrested a suspect...

SMPD Launch New Recruitment Website Amid High Vacancy Rates

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The site features multimedia content, including day-in-the-life videos and officer profiles, highlighting the impact of serving the community The Santa...

Father-Daughter Authors to Host Book Signing to Aid Fire-Affected Women

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

Ten percent of proceeds from book and art sales will benefit the Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund, a nonprofit initiative created...

Metro Reports Crime Drop, Higher Rider Satisfaction, and Progress on Major Projects

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The Authority said the drop in violent incidents—down to the lowest level since May 2019—coincided with more uniformed personnel and...

Santa Monica Joins Regional Lawsuit to Halt Unconstitutional ICE Raids

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The motion to intervene seeks to ensure that Santa Monica and other plaintiff-intervenors can advocate for their residents’ rights in...