SHERIFF INVESTIGATING RUMORED THREAT OF SHOOTING AT EL CAPITAN HIGH SCHOOL TODAY
Update 6:30 p.m. Approximately one-third of students stayed home today as a result of a rumored school shooting. According to posts by parents and students at Facebook and 10 News, some authorities were aware of the potential threats on Friday. Some parents have questioned why the District did not notify parents on Friday, why a parent meeting has not been called, and whether adequate steps have been taken to protect student safety.
December 13, 2010 (Lakeside) – A parent of two teens at El Capitan High School notified East County Magazine late last night that there is a “major rumor running that there is going to be a shooting tomorrow at the school.” The source said the shooting was rumored to be planned in retaliation for the death of former El Capitan student Christopher Carioscia, whose body was found at Barona last week following discovery of his burned car. The parent said Carioscia also went by the name Chris Younghusband. Law enforcement officials have previously stated that Carioscia had a history of drug problems.
Detective Jason Rouse at the Santee Sheriff’s substation confirmed, “We have received reports from several parents. At this point we have not been able to identify a source other than there’s lots of kids on Facebook saying they’ve heard about this.”
Asked what steps are being taken to assure safety of students, Rouse replied, “We have been in touch with the school and the community resource officers. They are taking appropriate steps to assure safety of students, and we are going to respond as though this is a credible threat, even though we don’t know if it is or not.”
An East County Magazine photographer drove past the school as students were arriving and saw one Sheriff car parked at the campus (photo). Rouse said there will be additional patrols throughout the day and that undercover officers will also be on campus.
The parent told ECM that some jittery parents are keeping students home today, but that her children will be in school because “they have perfect attendance.”
Grossmont Union High School District spokesperson Catherine Martin said, "The school is aware of unsubstantiated rumors. We're working closely with law enforcement. Anytime we hear rumors of a threat we immediately conduct an investigation with our law enforcement partners. There will be an additional law enforcement presence on campus today."