“Unknown Threat” Causes Temporary Shutdowns of Two Pasadena Schools

Police and school officials responded to both Wilson Middle School and Willard Elementary School on Thursday afternoon around noon after receiving a phone call from a concerned parent describing an “unknown threat.”

After an investigation during which nothing suspicious was found, both schools resumed their normal activity, authorities said.

Through social media, a number of parents said their children claimed to have seen a “creepy clown” on campus, police said there had in fact been no threats and there were no arrests.

“It was 100% nothing,” said Lt. Mark Goodman.

Children from Wilson Middle School were evacuated and Willard Elementary School kids were were sheltered-in-place as a precaution after the schools received the call from the parent,  according to Hilda Ramirez, spokesperson for Pasadena Unified School District.

“We mobilized a contingent of officers and we established a command post in the vicinity Willson Elementary and Willard,” said Lieutenant Vasken Gourdikian of the Pasadena Police Department.

Ramirez said the matter was investigated and both campuses were cleared to resume their regular instructional days.

Even so, one grandparent reported that her grandchild was so shaken by the incident and her fear of creepy clowns that she refused to stay on campus for after school activities.