O.C. school remains closed after out-of-country email threat

An email threat about a potential shooting at a private Orange County school has forced the closure of the campus for a second straight day while detectives investigate the origin of the threat.

Detectives have determined that the email -- which made specific assertions -- came from outside the United States, said Lt. Jeff Hallock, spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

St. Mary’s School, a private school in Aliso Viejo, was first closed Tuesday and again Wednesday.

Thursday classes have also been canceled by school officials while deputies and school administrators work on a plan for reopening the campus, Hallock said.

The email, which was sent Monday, revealed that a shooting would occur on campus at a time and date that has since passed and that the suspect would be a third party.

The threat included a generic name and description of the suspect, and Hallock said authorities have not identified or even confirmed the existence of the subject.

“There does not appear to be evidence to substantiate a credible threat to the campus,” Hallock said. “At this stage in the investigation, it appears the third-party name provided in the email is not a past or present student, faculty, staff, parent or alumni associated with the school.”

On its website, the school in south Orange County lists a student population of about 800, from preschool to 8th grade.

Sheriff’s deputies boosted their presence on campus since the threat surfaced and will increase patrols once St. Mary’s School reopens.

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