Students, Parents Describe La Quinta High School ‘Bomb Scare’
Students at La Quinta High School took to the football field, while investigators took a closer look at a suspicious backpack.
“They said to leave with all haste. But, in an orderly fashion,” recalled freshman Hayden Miller. “‘This is not a drill. So, please, leave your classroom now.'”
A student reported seeing something suspicious inside another student’s bag.
“He said the student had some flame retardant gloves and possibly a butane or propane tank,” said school district Security Director Jeff Kaye.
The K-9 unit from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department inspected the bag. It contained a pair of of flame retardent gloves. The student explained he used the gloves for a hobby.
“He [the student] said something about flame throwing or something,” said Kaye. “I didn’t know what it was. I didn’t get that.”
School administrators kept the students informed during the situation, even announcing there may be a “potential bomb” inside the administration office.
“That really scared me because I was like ‘What’s the explosion radius? Are we safe out here?’ So, I was freaking out,” said Miller.
During the ordeal the ninth-grader texted his mom.
“I will tell you, at this moment, I love having my cell phone,” said Susan Miller, who rushed to campus after receiving the text message. “It’s hard to believe there was a time when we didn’t have that instant communication.”
Within an hour, the Sheriff’s Department diffused the situation and confiscated the backpack. Students returned to class.
The student who owned the suspicious backpack was questioned. Authorities say he was cooperative. It’s not known if he will face criminal charges. But, bringing flame retardant gloves to school is not against the law, said Kaye.
