VENTURA, CA — May 2, 2025

A tense afternoon unfolded at Ventura High School on Thursday as students, staff, and parents faced a frightening situation when the campus was placed under lockdown following a reported bomb threat. The threat, made against the school sometime after noon, triggered an immediate and coordinated response from both school officials and local law enforcement.

According to Ventura Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Alicia Marquez, the threat was received through an anonymous phone call made to the school’s front office around 12:45 p.m. The caller allegedly warned of an explosive device planted somewhere on the school’s grounds. Administrators acted swiftly, initiating lockdown protocols while notifying authorities.

Emergency personnel from the Ventura Police Department, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ventura City Fire Department arrived on scene within minutes. Streets surrounding the school, located on Catalina Street in central Ventura, were blocked off to ensure public safety. K-9 units trained in explosive detection were brought in to sweep the campus, and aerial surveillance was also deployed as a precautionary measure.

Superintendent Ricardo Gutierrez of the Ventura Unified School District said that the school’s emergency response plan was executed smoothly, and that all students and staff remained in secured classrooms under the supervision of their teachers. “Our priority was to ensure everyone’s safety,” Gutierrez said during a press briefing held later in the afternoon. “We understand how alarming this kind of situation is for families and the community, and we thank everyone for their patience and cooperation.”

Parents gathered anxiously near the school’s perimeter, awaiting updates. Law enforcement officers and school officials kept them informed as the investigation progressed. After nearly two hours of extensive search operations, authorities found no evidence of any explosive device or suspicious packages.

At approximately 3:15 p.m., the lockdown was lifted, and students were released in a staggered manner to ensure continued safety and order. Police confirmed that no injuries were reported and that the situation was resolved without incident.

“We take every threat seriously, and while no device was found, this is now an active criminal investigation,” Sgt. Marquez stated. “Making a bomb threat, even as a hoax, is a serious felony offense. We are working diligently to trace the origin of the call and identify those responsible.”

The Ventura Police Department is asking anyone with information related to the threat to come forward. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers or the department’s tip line.

In the wake of the scare, school counselors and mental health professionals will be made available on campus for students and staff who may need support. Classes are expected to resume as scheduled on Friday, though heightened security measures may remain in place temporarily.

Community leaders, parents, and students have since taken to social media to praise the swift response of school staff and first responders, underscoring the importance of preparedness and communication in handling such emergencies.

As the investigation continues, Ventura High School and the wider community are left to reflect on the disruption and fear caused by a single phone call — and the resilience shown in its aftermath.

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