A false report of an armed individual outside Ramona High School in San Diego County sparked a brief period of panic on Thursday, April 25, 2024, prompting law enforcement to swiftly respond and implement safety measures. The incident, commonly referred to as "swatting," involved a hoax call to the Sheriff's Communications Center alleging the presence of an armed individual on the school premises.
Authorities were alerted to the situation at approximately 1:40 PM when the call was received, claiming an armed individual was spotted outside Ramona High School, located at 1401 Hanson Lane in Ramona. In response, deputies from both the Ramona and Poway Stations raced to the scene, arriving within minutes of the initial report.
As a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students and staff, Ramona High School, along with neighboring schools, was immediately placed on lockdown. Sheriff's Deputies conducted a thorough search of the campus, meticulously examining every area for any signs of suspicious activity or individuals. Fortunately, no evidence of the reported threat was found during the search.
Following the conclusion of the search and the determination that there was no imminent danger, authorities lifted the lockdown, allowing normal activities to resume. However, deputies remained stationed on campus until the end of the school day to provide reassurance and monitor the situation.
Subsequent to the incident, detectives from the Ramona Sheriff's Substation have initiated a follow-up investigation to determine the origin and motives behind the false phone threat. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department extends its gratitude to the community for their cooperation and understanding throughout the ordeal.