Southern California

Former Student Detained After Threat Shuts Down Classes at Cypress College

A former student was detained in connection with an unspecified threat that led a Southern California college to cancel Monday morning classes for the investigation.

A notice posted on the Cypress College websites said police received a report of possible violence on the campus. The threat came from a former student who was being questioned Monday morning, a school spokesperson said. The 24-year-old man was taken into custody in Pico Rivera, according to Whittier police. 

He was detained for a mental health evaluation, according to Cypress police, who later said the threat was not credible.

The man's relatives reported the threat, received via text message, to authorities.  The message indicated he planned shoot up a school, but it did not specify a campus, police said. 

The relatives told police he last attended Cypress College. School officials then notified the school about the text message. 

The college plans to conduct afternoon classes. 

The two-year college in north Orange County enrolls about 15,500 students each semester.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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