Point Loma High School principal Hans Becker issued a letter to all parents after a bullet was found on a restroom floor, a fire alarm was sounded and a key ring including a master key for the school was stolen all on Oct. 28.
“It’s been a long day, but we’ve had a lot of parent inquiries and I would like to give you an update of what’s happened today and some of the facts. There is a lot of misinformation and rumor that I wish to dispel,” Becker’s letter began.
The letter says that a student came to the office at 8:30 a.m. with a bullet found on the floor of a school restroom.
Becker said school police searched the restroom and surrounding area and found nothing.
About 30 minutes later a campus security assistant found the keys to his golf cart stolen from the ignition. The key ring contained a master key to the school.
Again school police were notified and Becker sent an email to all school staff asking them to help identify any students who may have information about the bullet or keys.
Earlier in the day, during first period, the school’s fire alarm went off. This was attributed to a student “vaping” in a restroom.
“I am confident that all three incidents today are unrelated,” Becker’s letter stated.
Becker noted that several students came forward to speak with him and provide information however none of the information shared helped solve any of the events.
“We followed up with every single concern and involved school police when interviewing students,” Becker’s letter said.
“I also want everyone in the Point Loma Community to know that we take today’s incidents extremely seriously,” Becker continued. “As a father myself, I know you place your trust in the safety of our school.” We will have enhanced police presence throughout the week. We also have overnight security on campus as an added precaution.”
He noted that there is a Crime Stoppers reward of $1,000 for any information about the stolen keys.
Some parents on social media questioned the school’s handling of the incidents. One said the school should have been placed on lockdown, while another expressed concern that a student may be “planning to shoot up the school.”
Another suggested that all student lockers and backpacks be searched by a police dog.
“We will have enhanced police presence throughout the week. We also have overnight security on campus as an added precaution,” Becker reported.
“Please know that we will be vigilant in our continued investigation of the events at PLHS today,” the letter concluded.