Replica Gun Found at Pasadena High School After Hours-Long Lockdown, Search

Pasadena High School and the adjacent Focus Point Academy were placed on lockdown at about 10:37 a.m. Tuesday after administrators received reports of a student carrying a weapon on campus. Police questioned the student and searched the campus for more than three hours before finding a replica gun and canceling the lockdown at about 3 p.m.

The student was not arrested but police detectives continue to investigate the incident, Pasadena Police Lt. Monica Cuellar said Tuesday evening.

There were no injuries reported.

Students and staff remained in locked classrooms for their own safety during the search, according to Pasadena Unified. Many parents fretted outside the school and online.

Police brought a canine unit to the campus and ultimately located what they determined to be an airsoft (plastic pellet) gun modeled to look like an actual handgun, according to a statement by Pasadena Unified. The lockdown was lifted once police confirmed that the threat to students and staff was not credible.

“We want to thank our partners in the Pasadena Police Department for their excellent work and support of our students’ safety during this scenario,” said PHS Principal Mathew Kodama, Ed.D. “We also appreciate the patience and understanding of our parents as our partners in law enforcement completed their work. The safety of our students and community is always our top priority.”

Pasadena Unified said in a statement that school staff regularly practice lockdown procedures and emergency drills for sheltering in place. School counselors and administrators will be available as needed throughout the week to support students and parents.