Ventura High School Locked Down Following Bomb Threat: Police Investigate, No Immediate Danger Found
VENTURA, CA — The Ventura High School campus was placed on lockdown the afternoon of Thursday, May 2, 2025, after authorities responded to a bomb threat made against the school, prompting a swift and coordinated response from school officials and law enforcement.
Marianne Quiroz, spokesperson for the Ventura Unified School District, issued a statement shortly after the threat was received, informing families and staff that “every precaution necessary” was being taken to ensure the safety of students and staff. She emphasized that the school was working closely with the Ventura Police Department, which had immediately arrived on campus to conduct a thorough and systematic search of the premises.
“The safety of our students is our top priority,” Quiroz said. “We are taking this threat seriously and ask for the cooperation of families during this time.”
Authorities did not immediately disclose the nature or source of the threat, but school officials confirmed that the lockdown was initiated as a precautionary measure while the investigation unfolded. Students and staff were instructed to shelter in place as officers conducted room-to-room sweeps and monitored the area for any suspicious activity or devices.
In a follow-up posted on Facebook around 2:15 p.m., Quiroz stated there were no new developments at that time and that the situation was still under investigation. She urged parents and guardians not to come to the school, warning that doing so could interfere with the ongoing police investigation and potentially create additional safety concerns.
As of 2:20 p.m., the Ventura Police Department had not provided a formal update, and the department’s watch commander was reported to be in the field and unavailable for media comment. However, a district representative noted that authorities were being “methodical and thorough” in their inspection of the campus and that updates would be provided as soon as it was safe to do so.
The lockdown created understandable anxiety among students, parents, and staff, though no injuries or suspicious devices were immediately reported. Parents were advised to stay connected through official district communication channels for real-time updates.
The lockdown at Ventura High School follows a troubling national trend of false bomb threats and school lockdowns that have swept across districts in recent years. These incidents, while often hoaxes, are taken seriously due to their potential to cause mass panic and disrupt education.
Law enforcement officials are expected to trace the origin of the bomb threat and determine whether charges will be filed. If identified, the individual responsible could face serious criminal penalties, including felony charges for making terroristic threats or disrupting a public institution.
As of late Thursday afternoon, the lockdown remained in effect, though authorities were cautiously optimistic that the threat was not credible. District officials reiterated their commitment to keeping families informed and expressed gratitude for the patience and support of the school community during the emergency response.
“This type of situation is frightening for everyone involved,” Quiroz said. “But I want to commend our staff, students, and law enforcement partners for responding calmly and quickly. Their actions today helped ensure safety and order.”
The Ventura Unified School District pledged to review its safety protocols in the aftermath of the event and provide counseling resources to students or staff impacted by the incident.
Further updates will be shared as more information becomes available.