Explosive device scare evacuates DHS elementary school

Bella Vista Elementary School in Desert Hot Springs was evacuated briefly on Friday after a student reported a potential explosive device in the school.

According to Joan Boiko with the Palm Springs Unified School District, a student had a water bottle with undetermined contents inside that were deemed a potential explosive.

Another student reported it to a teacher around 2:15 p.m. The teacher then mentioned it to the principal who decided to evacuate the school as a precaution. Police arrived and searched the school. They gave the all clear when they determined the contents of the water bottle were not a threat, according to Boiko.

Students were evacuated to nearby Painted Hills Middle School where parents were told to pick them up.

The student who brought the potential explosive device is being disciplined, but officials haven’t released any other details.

News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 will post more specific information as soon as it’s available.