High school evacuates after explosive device found on campus

Coachella Valley High School is evacuated after the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Hazardous Devices Team arrives on scene.

May 31, 2024, 11:00 a.m. PDT

THERMAL, Calif. – Coachella Valley High School was evacuated Friday after a potentially explosive object was found on campus.

According to CVHS, a “handmade explosive object” was found Friday morning behind an industrial building on Airport Boulevard. CVHS administration notified the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office and an evacuation occurred.

Deputies were dispatched to the 83000 block of Airport Boulevard shortly before 8:15 a.m. in reference to a bomb threat, according to Lt. Deirdre Vickers. “The site is being evacuated and the Riverside Sheriff’s Hazardous Devices Team has been called to the scene,” she said. This is an ongoing investigation and no additional details are available at this time.

The Coachella Valley Unified School District said students were transported from campus to other locations and faculty and support staff were also evacuated.

“Students and staff were bused to two schools, with freshmen, life skills students and medically challenged students going to Cahuilla Desert Academy, and sophomores, juniors and seniors going to Desert Mirage High School,” according to Coachella Valley Unified School District.

Frances Esparza, acting superintendent of CVHS, told reporters the device resembled a “makeshift, handmade pipe bomb” made from materials available at hardware stores.

It was not immediately clear whether the device was real or a hoax. Patch has requested more information from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and will update this report as it receives it. The administration also promised to provide additional updates as they become available.