Santa Monica High School spent part of its weekend under a cloud of anxiety after a computer-generated voicemail claimed explosives had been planted on campus and would detonate during Monday's classes. School officials and Santa Monica police responded with a full precautionary sweep using a drone and a bomb-sniffing dog, ultimately reporting that nothing suspicious was found. Administrators told families that classes will go on as scheduled on Monday, with officers on campus and counselors on hand for students who need support.
In a letter to families obtained by KTLA, Principal Marae Cruce said the school's switchboard had recorded a computer-generated voicemail Sunday morning alleging bombs had been planted and timed to go off during Monday's school day. Cruce wrote that the security team, Santa Monica Police Department and administrators are currently sweeping the campus, and that the search turned up no suspicious packages or odors. The message also urged families to stay vigilant and noted that absences would be excused for any students whose parents decide to keep them home because of the threat.
How officials searched the campus
Santa Monica police officers joined school security for what officials described as a methodical, top-to-bottom search. Bomb-sniffing K9 teams and a drone were used to check classrooms, parking lots and open areas across the Samohi campus before authorities declared the site clear, according to KNX News. Officers posted updates during the operation, and students were allowed to leave once the sweep wrapped up and no threats were found.
What families can expect Monday
Cruce's message said law enforcement has given the all clear for classes to proceed Monday, but noted that officers will be on campus as a precaution, per KTLA. Advisors and the school's mental health team will be available for any students who are shaken by the incident, and administrators urged the community to report unattended items or anything that looks off. Families choosing to keep students home were again told those absences will be excused.
Local context
This is not the first time Samohi has dealt with a scare like this. In 2022, a phoned-in bomb threat prompted a shelter-in-place order and another full search that ended with an all clear after officers found nothing, according to Patch. Those earlier incidents have helped shape the district's playbook for responding to suspicious calls, with schools typically coordinating closely with Santa Monica police and K9 teams whenever a threat comes in.
