Story by Karen Trinh (Editor-in-Chief), Kristie Hoang (News Editor), & Langa Tran (staff writer)
Video by Ashley Le (Photo Manager)
An email threat led to the closure of Fountain Valley High School campus on Wednesday, according to the Fountain Valley Police Department. The email was linked to a student, but was not sent from a school-issued email account.
Classes were cancelled for the day at FVHS. Parents and students were notified via an automated phone call from Principal Chris Herzfeld as well as a mass email.
The email regarding the threat was sent on Tue. night at 10 p.m. and received by FVHS teacher Sean Ziebarth on Wed. morning. Ziebarth believes that the email was sent to him due to the fact that he is the FVHS webmaster, and his email address is posted on the school website.
According to FVPD Sgt. Tony Luce, the email claimed that explosives were scattered throughout the school.
The email also stated that any survivors will be killed by assault rifle.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department Bomb squad arrived on campus on Wed. morning to investigate the threat.
FVPD responded student’s home to check the legitimacy of the email.
The student whose account was linked to the threat has denied any involvement, according to Luce.
The student has allowed the PD to search his computers and cell phone, and home. No weapons were found, and there were no indications that such an email came from his computers or phone.
PD’s forensics will investigate email account to attempt to track down where the email possibly originated.
“Any situation like this we always take very seriously because of the threat to human life. Until the sheriff’s department gets through the school and we completely investigate the incident, it’s impossible for us to know [how dangerous the situation is] right now… “ said Luce.
Meanwhile, Bushard Street is closed between Talbert and Slater due to police activity.
“Out of an abundance of caution, FVPD is going to sweep the entire grounds. It will take hours. Consequently, school is cancelled for today. I will send an update regarding afternoon activities,” said Principal Chris Herzfeld.
The school has announced that campus has been reopened and after school sports activities will resume.
