Rumors of a school shooter at Cal Poly deemed false alarm

Cal Poly campus officials assured students on Wednesday that rumors about a potential school shooter on campus were unsubstantiated.
Photo courtesy of Gregg M Erickson / Wikimedia Commons

By Andrew Gregg
Editor-in-chief

A social media post sparked concerns late Tuesday night about a potential mass shooting at Cal Poly — but was deemed a false alarm, according to campus police.

Cal Poly’s University Police Department tweeted around midnight that it had been alerted to the possibility that an active shooter would be on campus Wednesday, and that it was investigating the matter.

Poly Alert: UPD is aware of a social media post that references the possibility of a shooter on campus tomorrow. UPD is actively investigating the origin of the message. More information will be shared as it becomes available.

— Cal Poly Police (@CalPolyPolice) February 21, 2018

It was later determined that the source of the rumor — an Instagram post — was directed at a Long Beach high school.

“UPD investigated throughout the night and today, and that investigation led them to Los Angeles and eventually to Long Beach and the determination that the posting referred to a high school in that area,” said Matt Lazier, media relations director for Cal Poly. “UPD has been working with Long Beach PD and Los Angeles School District Police throughout the night and today to locate sources.”

Cal Poly students expressed their concerns Tuesday morning.

Jesus really debating going to my midterm today 🙁 I hate this uncertainty

— Crazy Cat Lady😽🙀 (@English_Toast) February 21, 2018

Thanks @CalPoly for sending out an alert last night about someone threatening to shoot up the school today with another one this morning saying there’s an investigation but classes will continue as scheduled. I feel REAL safe having to go to class after that 👍👍

— Skyler (@skylerr34) February 21, 2018

Shoutout to all the professors who cancelled class today, even if the threat of a shooting today was likely not for cal poly, I’d rather not die

— 🙂 (@_libertad___) February 21, 2018

Fears of a mass shooting are widespread in the wake of the Feb. 14 Florida tragedy, where 17 high school students were murdered by a former student wielding an assault rifle. Survivors of the Parkland, Fla. shooting are currently protesting Florida’s gun laws at the state’s Capitol building. Protests are flourishing nationwide, as more and more Americans — especially students — demand stricter gun regulations.

The Instagram post, which was published and circulated Tuesday, read: “POLY STUDENTS!! There has been word of a school shooter, threatening to shoot the school tomorrow. Do whatever you got to do to not be harmed. I for one will not be taking my ass to school. Be safe.”

The UPD, as well as Cal Poly’s official twitter, later tweeted an update Wednesday informing students that no credible threat had been received.

Update: Cal Poly’s campus remains open and classes will continue as scheduled. UPD continues to investigate and work leads to the social media post in partnership with other law enforcement agencies. The investigation indicates that Cal Poly was not the target of the post.

— Cal Poly Police (@CalPolyPolice) February 21, 2018

The Long Beach Police Department released a statement regarding the threat.

“The Long Beach Police Department was made aware of an unsubstantiated threat of a shooting at a ‘Poly High School,’” the statement read. “Detectives started investigating the matter right away and worked through the night.  The preliminary investigation found no credible threat to Long Beach Poly High School. The Police Department is working closely with LBUSD, and there will be increased police presence on Long Beach high school campuses, to ensure that students feel safe in their educational environment.”