Officers apprehend suspect in gun scare

A young man carrying a replica firearm was detained by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) at CVHS in the front parking lot on Friday, Sept. 26, shortly after the final bell. School staff rushed to guide students away from the scene to ensure their safety.

Earlier in the day, around noon, students reported seeing a suspicious person who appeared to be brandishing a firearm. 

ACSO was notified of the threat immediately and closely coordinated with CVHS staff to further investigate the situation.

Junior Edison Chen described being physically redirected by a school staff member away from the area of concern.

“I left the 200 hallway and he came up to me holding my shoulder, telling me to go the other way,” said Chen when asked to explain the events after school. “I still tried to go out through gate 6, so he grabbed my shoulder and pushed me a little.”

Students and teachers believed the firearm to be real, prompting a panicked uproar across the campus, where many bolted toward any available exit. 

CVHS has established emergency procedures, such as lockdowns, designed to guide students and staff through threats. However, the event’s unfortunate timing put staff into an uncomfortable position of having to choose between allowing students to leave or enforcing a lockdown, adding to the confusion. 

It was only revealed approximately an hour later that the firearm was a replica. 

“I was really confused because walking out of sixth period, I heard what I thought was a helicopter, and then everyone was ushering us out the main office gate,” recalled sophomore Venus Brown. 

The main office gate is located on the opposite end of campus from where officers detained a suspect. 

A photo supplied to The Olympian appears to show officers arresting a young male suspect in the school parking lot beside the pool and theater. 

“When I first heard about the potential shooter, it felt surreal,” said senior Andrea Ramirez. “This event, along with the bomb threat we experienced earlier that week, only reassured the idea that I must always be on guard at school because I’m not safe here.”

The incident occurred three days after an all-clear bomb threat that had CVHS students waiting in 90-degree weather for an hour. Staff members expressed concern about the repeated exposure to emergencies. 

“I feel traumatized,” said teacher Jo Sutton. “I feel really bad that the students have to go through these emergencies and events.”

Following a thorough investigation, ACSO confirmed the individual possessed an imitation firearm. 

“No actual firearm was found, and there was no ongoing threat to students, staff, or the public,” wrote Principal Christopher Fortenberry in an email to parents and staff.

ACSO has not responded to a request for more information.