Full Notification

On Monday, January 27, 2020, at approximately 1:50 PM the Mill Valley Police Department and Marin County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to respond to a report of a subject possibly carrying a rifle on Almonte Boulevard to the rear of Tamalpais High School.  The subject was described as wearing a black mask and black clothes and possibly associated with a white car.  Another witness reported a suspicious subject with a similar clothing description wearing a mask near parked vehicles in the area but did not see any weapon.  While en route to the area, Tamalpais High School administration was notified of the reports and placed in lock down protocol.
 
Mill Valley Police Department and Marin County Sheriff’s Office personnel arrived on scene within minutes and immediately checked the area for the suspicious subject, associated vehicle and any witnesses to gain further information. As a further precaution, a shelter in place advisory was issued in the proximity of the high school, which included Mill Valley Middle School. The Mill Valley Police Department was in constant contact with officials from both schools and consulted on the lock down and shelter in place advisories.
 
The Mill Valley Police Department and Marin County Sheriff’s Office received timely and significant support and resources from law enforcement agencies throughout the county.  Law enforcement personnel coordinated to secure and search the high school and the surrounding area.  All students and staff were safe during the time the incident was being investigated. Witnesses were identified and assisted in confirming the suspect and associated vehicle had left the area.
 
Around 2:30 pm, the Mill Valley Police Department consulted with school officials regarding the release of Mill Valley Middle School students at their regularly scheduled time and assessed that it was safe to release the students.
 
Around 4:00 pm, after an extensive search of the school and surrounding area, law enforcement officers lifted the lockdown and shelter in place advisory.
 
At this time, no criminal activity has been verified and the suspicious subject has not been identified or located. Rumored reports of an associated armed bank robbery were unfounded and unverified. The investigation is ongoing and will be handled by the Marin County Sheriff’s office as the suspicious activity occurred in the jurisdiction of the County of Marin. The Mill Valley Police Department will continue to assist and liaison with school officials.
 
“We appreciate the assistance of all the responding agencies that supported us today,” Mill Valley Police Chief Alan Piombo said. “We also appreciate the close coordination with School District officials, administration and teachers. We would also like to thank all parents and students for their patience and cooperation through this situation.”