An elementary school in San Marcos was briefly locked down after a report of armed men near the campus that turned out to be unfounded.
On Friday, August 29, just after 7:30 a.m., deputies from the San Marcos Sheriff’s Station responded to a report that two suspicious men were seen near Joli Anne Leichtag Elementary School located in the 600 block of Poinsettia Avenue. An elementary school student who had walked to school told a staff member that they observed two men armed with guns and knives near the school.
Based on these reports and out of an abundance of caution, school staff immediately began lockdown protocols.
Deputies immediately searched the area for the alleged armed men while additional information was gathered from the reporting student. Deputies also interviewed other students who were with the reporting student and determined that there was not a credible threat to the school.
The area around the school was thoroughly searched, but the alleged suspicious men were not located. The lockdown was lifted just before 9:00 a.m. after deputies determined the area was safe.
Deputies concluded, based upon witness accounts, that at no point were any individuals armed with a gun or other weapon near the school.
The safety of our school children is a priority for the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office. We take all threats seriously. We want to remind students that if they hear any threats or even potential violence, they can always approach our Sheriff’s School Resource Deputies or call the anonymous Student Speaking Out Hotline at (888) 580-8477.
Media Contact: Lieutenant Daniel Wilson
Daniel.Wilson@sdsheriff.org
San Marcos Sheriff’s Station (760) 510-5200
