LAKE ELSINORE: Police presence increased after threats made towards high school

LAKE ELSINORE – A Lake Elsinore high school beefed up it’s law enforcement presence as a precautionary measure after threats of violence made toward the school were shared by multiple students. After an investigation, authorities deemed the threats were unfounded and no danger to students or school staff existed.

The investigation began Sunday, March 5, about 7:49 p.m., after deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Lake Elsinore Police station were notified regarding possible threats being made against Lakeside High School, according to Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Matt Donivan.

During their investigation, sheriff’s officials learned that multiple students were forwarding threats to harm the school and students via SnapChat, Donivan explained in a press release after the investigation.

The following morning, Monday, March 6, authorities identified the students who had been forwarding the alleged threats. Officials located and detained the juveniles for further investigation.

The Riverside County’s Kids with Guns Protocol was initiated as a precautionary measure and investigating officials found nothing to indicate a true threat existed.

“Nothing was found to indicate a true threat would be carried out,” Donivan said.

Officials did not specify the nature of the threats or what actions were taken against the students who had been sharing the alleged threats.

This investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is requested to contact the Lake Elsinore Police Department at (951) 245-3300. Callers can refer to incident file number L170640071 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

 

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Trevor Montgomery spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including the Robert Presley Detention Center, the Southwest Station in Temecula, the Hemet Station, and the Lake Elsinore Station, along with many other locations.