Full Notification

DATE OF RELEASE: September 12, 2018

On 09/12/18 at approximately 1:15 pm South Hills High School staff notified the school resource officer of rumors that a student was in possession of a handgun. A description of the student was provided. West Covina Police officers responded quickly and the campus was locked down. Officers located the student and determined he was not in possession of a handgun. In an abundance of caution, officers conducted a detailed investigation by interviewing additional students and eventually found an inoperable replica handgun inside a backpack possessed by a student that was inside a classroom.

It appears the replica handgun was possibly passed around between a few different students and as a result three juvenile students were arrested and booked at the West Covina Police Department for bringing a replica handgun onto a school campus. Officers are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and any specific threats that may have been made.

The West Covina Police Department had previously conducted active shooter training with staff from South Hills High School and this incident was resolved quickly due do the well trained staff and support from the Covina Valley School District.

The West Covina Police Department does not feel there is a current threat toward the school or the students based on this specific case. The West Covina Police Department asks anyone with information about this incident to call 626-939-8688.

The West Covina Police Department encourages everyone to call the police should they see something suspicious or become aware of someone bringing a weapon onto a school campus.

News Release issued by Lieutenant Travis Tibbetts, PIO. For more information, call 626-939-8685 or 626 824-3781 (cell).

Attached is the replica handgun found in the student’s backpack.