The threatening email, which threw school days on the West coast into disarray, read: ‘I am a devout Muslim, and was once against violence, but I have teamed up with a local jihadist cell as it is the only way I’ll be able to accomplish my massacre the correct way’. Something very big. It will make national headlines. The threat, emailed late on Monday night, came from someone who claimed to be a devout Muslim prepared to launch an attack at multiple schools using bombs, nerve gas and rifles, Brad Sherman, a Democratic US congressman from California, told the New York Times. We need families and neighbors to work together with our schools and with our employees to make sure our kids are safe throughout the day.
Advertisement
The threat was emailed to LAUSD and mentioned explosive devices and weapons, according to the district and authorities.
The Los Angeles Unified School District comprises more than 21,000 buildings spread over 720 square miles (1,865 square kilometers) within Los Angeles and nearby communities.
“I figure if I tell them ‘I know you are all shaken up and there’s no homework, ‘ then that’s scary”, Jones said.
The LAUSD said on Twitter that classes and after-school activities would resume Wednesday, adding: “When it comes to the well-being of our children, we will never take chances”.
Lupita Vela, who has a daughter in elementary school and a son in high school, called the threat “absolutely terrifying” in light of the San Bernardino attack.
Schiff, in reporting that the threat appears to have been a hoax, did not weigh in on the propriety of closing the nation’s second-largest school district – creating the type of disruption that is the primary goal of terrorists. I think it was a significant overreaction’.
The superintendent said the district police chief informed him about the threat shortly after 5 a.m.
Bratton indicated that the type of threats in the email mirrored some recent episodes of the show.
The city’s police chief and mayor both said they support the school superintendent’s decision to implement a system-wide shutdown.
Also on Tuesday, authorities in New York City said they received similar threat but soon concluded that the threat was a hoax.
The Los Angeles message claimed the anonymous author had 32 accomplices, while the NY email cited 138 accomplices, Sherman said Wednesday.
It’s extremely rare for a major USA city to close all its schools because of a threat and it reflected the lingering unease in Southern California following the terrorist attack that killed 14 people at a holiday luncheon two weeks ago in San Bernardino.
A United States official said investigators were looking for a possible bomb or bombs in connection with the Los Angeles closure.
Los Angeles police Chief Charlie Beck and Sheriff Jim McDonnell said all their personnel will be in uniform Wednesday and patrols will be stepped up around LAUSD campuses to help allay any uneasiness among students and parents.
Advertisement
“It’s irresponsible to criticize that decision based on facts that have yet to be determined”, Beck said.
