Police Investigate 'Non-Credible Threat' Against Torrance School

TORRANCE, CA — Torrance police on Friday responded to a "non- credible threat" made to North High School, according to the Torrance Police Department.

Authorities were made aware Friday of "an image uploaded on social media relating to a school threat" against the high school located at 3620 W. 182nd St., according to Torrance Police Department Sgt. Mark Ponegalek.

"During the investigation, the student was identified and officers were working with staff from North High School throughout this investigation," Ponegalek said. "On that same day, officers and detectives responded to the student's house and made contact with the student and their parents."

Police determined the threat made against North High School was not credible after searching the home and interviewing the student and parents, who fully cooperated with the investigation, police said.

It was not immediately clear whether the student was arrested or facing any criminal charges.

An investigation into the threat was ongoing, Ponegalek said Monday.

The incident in Torrance comes amid heightened fear of gun violence on school campuses across the United States. On May 24, 19 students and two teachers were killed at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.

Since the deadly shooting, many Southern California schools have responded to potential threats, including schools in Calabasas, Menifee and Santa Ana.

Schools across the country have responded to surging copycat threats with increased security, NPR reported. Police agencies across Southern California announced increased security following the shooting in Uvalde, including the Los Angeles, Costa Mesa and Santa Clarita.

Torrance Police Department Chief Jay Hart immediately addressed the shooting on Twitter, affirming the department was "committed to protecting the safety of Torrance students."

The department would work with the Torrance Unified School District to "create an environment where students and teachers can thrive," he said.

Firearm-related injuries became the leading cause of death for children age 19 and under in 2020, according to The New England Journal of Medicine. 2020 was the first year gun violence surpassed motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of death in this age group.

City News Service contributed to this report.