By Jamie Kelleher
Online News Editor
At 5 p.m on Nov. 19, the Manhattan Beach Police Department announced that they identified a suspect who composed at least one of the threats against Mira Costa High School posted on the anonymous app, Yik Yak, earlier this week.
MBPD identified the suspect as a female juvenile who is not a student in any Manhattan Beach Unified School District schools. The suspect is currently not in custody, but has been contacted by police.
MBPD is currently still investigating if others were involved in posting the threats.
During third period on Monday, Costa entered a “lock in” after being notified of a Yik Yak post stating: “If you go to Costa you should watch out very closely at school today.” At 12:25, Costa returned to an open campus environment, but Principal Ben Dale ensured parents that he would maintain a police presence on campus throughout the day and would allow for concerned parents to excuse their children from school.
“The bottom line is that after consulting with MBPD and the Superintendent, we are keeping the school open and being watchful,” Dale said in an email to Mira Costa parents.
Around 3:50 p.m. Monday, another threat was posted on Yik Yak stating, “Nice try Costa, today was just a drill.” Costa administration and MBPD are now looking into the continued threats, including posts stating “Ima kill” and “Tomorrow at 2. be ready, Costa. You’re going on lockdown”.
Classes were cancelled on Tuesday and Wednesday in order to allow MBPD and Mira Costa officials to investigate the matter further. School will reopen tomorrow with enhanced security restrictions, which were outlined in an email sent out to MBUSD parents.
Tomorrow, students are encouraged to refrain from bringing backpacks and bags to school and must enter through four designated entrances. Bags will be searched at the entry ways.
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