Portola schools on lockdown after CRC receives potential threat UPDATED
3:45 p.m. UPDATE: The Plumas County Sheriff’s Office announced that the threat came from a juvenile who has been identified.
3:22 p.m. UPDATE: School will be in session May 18 for both CRC and Portola High School students.
1 p.m. UPDATE: The Plumas County Sheriff’s Office released a report on the incident that occurred at CRC in Portola this morning, May 17. At 7:47 a.m., the Dispatch Center received a call from the Veteran’s Crisis Center. The V.A. Center received a text into their reporting center from a subject who identified himself as “Paul.” The text stated he was homicidal and had plans to kill several people at the C-Roy Carmichael Middle School. No other schools in the PUSD were mentioned.
The school principal was notified of the threats and locked down the campus per our request. Multiple units from the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, Sierra County Sheriff’s Office responded and currently have the school secured. The school and law enforcement personnel are currently closing working together to safely release students from the school to their parents
This is an ongoing investigation and patrol staff will remain at the Portola schools during the course of this investigation. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
11:17 a.m. UPDATE: Portola High School is now releasing its students for the day; they will begin dismissing them at 11:30 a.m. from the school gym.
11:12 a.m. UPDATE: Plumas Unified School District released the following statement:
On Wednesday, May 17th, the Plumas Unified School District received a credible threat against C. Roy Carmichael Elementary School (CRC). Immediate action was taken by the Plumas County Sheriff and the California Highway Patrol (CHP), who promptly responded to the school site. As a precautionary measure, CRC and Portola Jr/Sr High School were placed on lockdown, and emergency protocols were immediately put into action.
After receiving clearance from law enforcement, the process of releasing students to their parents began at 10:10 am from the school cafeteria. Subsequently, students at Portola Jr/Sr High School will be released starting at 11:30 am.
As of now, an active and ongoing investigation is underway. We are closely coordinating with the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office, and as soon as additional information becomes available, we will promptly share it and make a decision regarding the school’s status for Thursday, May 18th.
We understand that incidents like this can be extremely distressing for parents, and we appreciate your cooperation in following the procedures outlined by the school for student pick-up. Although this process may take some time, rest assured that the safety and security of our students remain our top priority.
We would like to express our gratitude to the Plumas County law enforcement agencies, including the sheriff’s office, CHP, and Fish and Game, for their swift response. We would also like to acknowledge the dedication and resilience demonstrated by our staff and students during this challenging situation.
10:15 a.m. UPDATE: It’s an emotional scene at CRC with applause breaking out as the students are released. Traffic is heavy on the road leading up to the school.
10:10 a.m. UPDATE: The CRC campus is reported to be secure and students are being released to their parents. Initially it was reported that they would be bused away from campus, but now parents are being asked to drive up, and their students are being released to them.
There is a heavy law enforcement presence in Portola this morning, after C. Roy Carmichael Elementary received a potential threat. Both CRC and Portola High School are on lockdown. Parents are advised to not drop students off at campus, nor to try to pick them up at this time. The original notice went out to parents at 8:15 a.m. this morning.
One resident reports seeing three CHP units and five Plumas County Sheriff’s Office vehicles at the C. Roy Carmichael campus.
Reporter Lauren Westmoreland contacted Sara Sheridan, principal at PHS, who said the school is on lockdown as a precaution, but all students are safe and the campus is secured.
Plumas Unified School District announced that there is no threat to campuses in the other communities of Chester, Greenville or Quincy.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Just another day in America…SAD.
I have to say, I think all the enforcement officials and other staff coordination was phenominal! For not having to “practice or drill” (thankfully) on this situation they all really shined- from responce to coordination of picking up a child near flawless! Thank you, for all you do and not really getting fully compensated for all of what you do.
I am so proud of our teachers, school staff and law enforcement for their quick and thorough response this morning! As anxious as I was for the students in our community, I knew their welfare and safety was the top priority for all concerned. Thank you!
Unfortunately our beautiful little corner of the world is no longer exempt from this type of anger and potential violence. Thank you to law enforcement for keeping our children safe (this time)
Even though no one was hurt physically..my daughter has told me that my 2 grandkids are shaken-up. I pray that this incident does not do permanent damage to them. My heart hurts for all of the kids and the parents that were involved today; and thank God the system worked this time.
The reason we need to MAKE SURE law enforcement is well funded give these officers, dispatchers and emergency personnel the wages they so deserve our county DEPENDS on it!!