A day after two attacks at Watsonville High School left three injured, the Watsonville Police Department on Friday said a social media threat targeting the school was a hoax.
Police said there were rumors “circulating online about a possible shooting” at the school but after investigating they found “no credibility” to the hearsay.
Pajaro Valley Unified School District officials said they were working with the police department to increase officer presence on the Watsonville High campus and surrounding area Friday, in a morning release about the false online rumors.
“Watsonville High School remains open, and we encourage anyone who sees or hears anything concerning contacting the Watsonville Police Department,” reads the district’s statement. “The Watsonville Police Department takes all reports of potential threats seriously and will continue to closely monitor the situation.”
PVUSD is providing support services to staff and students at the campus.
“Our hearts are with the Watsonville High School ‘Catz’ community,” officials wrote, alluding to their mascot, the wildcats.
On Thursday morning at about 10 a.m., police say that two separate attacks at the school – including a stabbing and an assault – left two students and one staff member with moderate injuries.
Four students, all from Watsonville High and between the ages of 14 and 16, were charged with offenses including felony battery, assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy, attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon.