2 Manhattan Beach schools canceled due to 'specific threat'

MANHATTAN BEACH,Calif. (KABC) -- Mira Costa High School and Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary School canceled classes on Friday for a second time in one week following a possible email threat, school officials said.

Principal Ben Dale confirmed the schools were being canceled for the day as authorities were working on a new investigation.

An email was sent to parents by Manhattan Beach Unified School District Superintendent of Schools Mike Matthews regarding the threat. The email read in part: "We received another threat to Mira Costa High School. The email threat was specific in nature and Dr. Dale took quick action to close the school for the day."

The threat was reported to be made against Mira Costa High School, but Pennekamp Elementary was canceled as a precaution because of its close proximity.

Manhattan Beach police later determined there was no suspicious activity on campus. Officials announced the schools will be back open on Monday with continued police presence at all schools within the city as a precautionary measure.

Meantime, Redondo Beach police were investigating graffiti on a sidewalk near the cafeteria at Redondo Beach High School. The message, written in red ink, read, "You are all...animals being led to the slaughter as you deserve."

Authorities confirmed no specific threat was telephoned or emailed to Redondo High School, and the campus was expected to remain open under normal operations.

On Monday, a caller contacted Mira Costa High School, located at 1401 Artesia Boulevard, and stated there was a bomb on campus, which prompted a school-wide evacuation. Police conducted a room-by-room sweep of the high school, but no suspicious items were found.