Update 7:00 p.m.
The suspect, who was identified as 30-year-old Terrell Lee Bennett, made a 911 phone call to the Glendora Police Department (GPD) at 11:17 a.m., and threatened that he was on his way to “shoot up” Citrus College, according to a press release from the GPD. Bennett is an online student at Citrus College who was scheduled for an in-person class today, the press release said.
The suspect was taken into custody at 3:42 p.m. after he surrendered without further incident. Suicide-by-cop appears to be a possible motive based on the suspect’s statements and the investigation conducted by the GPD, although other motives are still being explored, according to the press release.
“It was a 911 call, where he threatened the campus, and because of that threat, we took it seriously and we and Citrus College security locked down the campus,” said Sgt. Shawna Celello of the GPD.
The Citrus College campus and surrounding streets were locked down at 11:28 a.m., and APU was put on lock down at approximately 12:30 p.m. due to its close proximity to Citrus.
Aid was requested from surrounding law enforcement agencies. The Foothill Special Enforcement Team and a regional SWAT team were activated.
The suspect’s vehicle was located in a campus parking lot at 11:39 a.m., and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad was dispatched to the scene, although there were no bomb threats according to Celello and the Bomb Squad found no traces of any explosive devices.
All buildings at Citrus College have been cleared, and students, faculty and staff were evacuated and released after the lockdown was lifted at 5:58 p.m.
Glendora Police Detectives will further investigate the incident.
Update 6:05 p.m.
The Citrus College lock down has been lifted, according to the Glendora Police Department’s Twitter.
Update 4:00 p.m.
One person has been detained at Citrus College, according to the Glendora Police Department’s Twitter.
The lock down and shelter in place on APU’s East and West Campuses have been lifted, according to the Critical Incident Response Team. Police activity continues in the Citrus College area, but is no longer a threat to the APU community, according to the university-wide notice.
Update 3:40 p.m.
West Campus is no longer on lock down, according to the Critical Incident Response Team. East Campus remains on lock down due to the ongoing investigation at Citrus College, according to the university-wide notice.
Classes at APU have been cancelled for the rest of the day.
Update 2:25 p.m.
The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department confirmed that bomb squad services were requested to Citrus College.
“Our bomb squad was requested to assist the college with their investigation of a bomb threat. We are out there now. We still have a suspect not in custody,” said Deputy Schrader of the Los Angeles Sheriff Department.
Update 1:48 p.m.
“[We have] a call to threaten Citrus College and the campus was put on lockdown and we are actively investigating,” said Sgt. Celello of the Glendora Police Department.
Glendora Police Department currently has no confirmation of an active shooter according to Celello.
Azusa Pacific University was put on lock down at approximately 12:30 p.m. due a potential threat of a shooter at Citrus College. Students have been advised to shelter in place by APU’s Department of Campus Safety.
The Citrus College campus was officially locked down at 11:36 a.m., according to Citrus’ Twitter.
APU Campus Safety notified students via phone and text of the lockdown due to the proximity of APU to Citrus College.
Glendora Police Department have closed off all entrances to the campus and multiple police helicopters began circling the campus at approximately 11:30 a.m.
Reports of an active shooter have not been confirmed by any official source despite posts on social media.
Police activity is still ongoing and community members are advised to stay away from the activity until an all-clear is issued.
This is a breaking news report. More information will be provided as it becomes available.