Anonymous email threat closes all Los Angeles schools

CNBC reports Los Angeles has the second largest school district in the nation, with over 900 schools and 187 public charter schools.

Beck alluded to the tense atmosphere in the region since the San Bernardino carnage, plus Cortines’ daunting responsibility of keeping about three quarters of a million students and school staffers safe day in and day out.

Chief Beck said the email was sent from an IP address in Frankfurt, Germany, but investigators believe its origin was much closer.

Officials with the San Diego County Office of Education raised concerns about copycat situations because of the proximity of the upcoming holiday vacation and advised administrators to be especially vigilant in assessing any threats that may be received. Students will be supervised until they are picked up, officials said.

“I was in a bit of shock because I had just woken up”, said Brian, who arrived at the school with his father searching for more information.

LA school superintendent Ramon Cortines said the closure was due to “an abundance of caution”. Police were clearing the campuses along with school principals and other staff.

The Los Angeles Police Chief says the threat described an attack with assault rifles.

District officials have been investigating the threat since about 10 p.m. Monday night, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and LAPD. “We have chosen to close our schools today until we can be sure our campuses are safe”, Los Angeles School Police Chief Steve Zipperman told a press conference.

Officials with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were also taking part in the investigation.

Not all law enforcement authorities agree that canceling school in the face of this threat was the wrong call. Thus, when every single school in the district is shut down, it is certainly something to which the United States should pay attention.

“I can’t take a chance”.

“I think the circumstances in neighboring San Bernardino”, Cortines said, referring to the mass shooting that left 14 dead. And New York Mayor Bill de Blasio says there was “nothing credible” about it. He says it was “outlandish”, and that he’s “absolutely convinced” that there was no danger to schoolchildren in his city. The threat was toward students in schools (as opposed to on buses). However, it was enough to spur the school district’s leaders not to have students attend classes, according to police spokeswoman Liliana Preciado.