Lockdown lifted at Carter High School in Rialto after unfounded report of armed person on campus

RIALTO, Calif. (KABC) -- Carter High School was placed on lockdown for hours on Tuesday after a report of an armed person turned out to be unfounded, officials said. This was the second swatting call this week in the city of Rialto.

Swatting is when a fake shooting or bomb scare is called in to draw a large police response when, in actuality, it's all a hoax.

According to Rialto police, a call came in reporting a man with a gun holding people hostage a little after 10 a.m. The school immediately went on lockdown as officers responded.

Rialto Unified School District said Carter High School Principal Kristy Streff had informed families.

The lockdown was lifted around 1 p.m. after authorities searched the campus and did not find an armed individual.

AIR7 video from above the campus shows armed law enforcement officers and worried parents outside the gates.

As a result of the report, Eisenhower High School was also placed on a precautionary lockdown, which was later lifted.

This comes one day after Rialto High School was placed under lockdown in a similar incident. In that case, Rialto police reportedly received a call of someone threatening violence at the school with weapons and explosives.

"At this time, investigators believe these incidents to be acts of 'swatting,' in which false emergency calls are made to provoke a large law enforcement response," a statement from the Rialto Police Department said.

A student, whom police called a person of interest with reference to the Monday threat, was detained. The Rialto High School students were ultimately reunited with their parents/guardians.

Rialto police are reminding the public that making false reports is a crime under California law, and those responsible will be investigated and held accountable.

This comes as a rash of swattings and bomb scares sweep the nation, according to law enforcement sources briefed on the situation.

The similar hoaxes are targeting schools, colleges and Jewish institutions. Many of the calls include the sound of gunfire.