On April 16 the Piedmont Police Department said it was investigating a report of a student who had made threatening comments about bringing a gun to campus and shooting people. After following up on the report, police say they did not believe there was a threat to students returning to school after spring break, but that their criminal investigation was ongoing.
In a message posted on social media, Police Chief Jeremy Bowers said that:
Our Juvenile Officer along with other officers immediately contacted the student and parents to investigate the threats and determine the accessibility of any firearms to the student. Officers did not locate any firearms. The Department contacted the Piedmont Unified School District and alerted them about the threat during the criminal investigation. We understand situations involving potential school violence can be alarming, and we want to assure the community that we do not believe there is any danger to students returning to school next week. We are grateful that those who learned of this threat came forward so that we could move swiftly to ensure the safety of our community. Our criminal investigation into the actions of the involved student is ongoing. The Piedmont Police Department will continue working collaboratively with the District to ensure the ongoing safety and support needs of students are met.
In a message to school district families that same day, Superintendent Randy Booker said the report to the police department was made by a fellow PHS student who heard of the threat, told their parents, and reached out to Piedmont police. “I want to commend this student for coming forward and taking this threat seriously,” he said, “as well as the Piedmont Police Department for their swift attention.”
He said the district did not believe there was any danger to students returning to school and that PUSD was continuing to work with PPD to ensure student safety.