BLOOMINGTON, Calif. – October 3, 2025 – According to the Rialto Police Department, officers responded to Joe Baca Middle School in the 1600 block of S. Lilac Avenue at approximately 12:25 p.m. on October 2 after a text to 911 reported an armed individual on campus.
The school was placed on lockdown while officers, assisted by surrounding agencies, conducted a systematic search. No armed individual was located, and the lockdown was lifted.
Detectives traced the phone used in the report to the campus at the time of the notification. Subscriber information led investigators to an address in Bloomington, where they determined a minor student possessed the device and had made the false report. The student was released to family, and the phone was seized as evidence. The motive remains under investigation. Case: 932511822.
Investigators believe the incident was an act of “swatting.” While no credible threat was identified, filing a false emergency report is a crime under California law.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Rialto Police Department at (909) 820-2550. Anonymous tips can be provided to WeTip at (800) 782-7463. Media inquiries: Rialto Police Capt. Mark Adams, (909) 820-8066, MADAMS@RIALTOPD.COM.
