KING CITY — King City High School students were safely evacuated Tuesday afternoon after the campus was placed on lockdown following what authorities described as a call for service.
According to the King City Police Department, officers responded to the high school at about 1:30 p.m. and remained on scene while the situation was investigated.
In an update issued at 2:25 p.m., police said all students had been safely evacuated from the campus and that student pickup would take place at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds, located about five blocks away on Division Street.
Officers continued to secure the school while awaiting the arrival of the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad to conduct a full clearance of the campus before it could be deemed safe.
“We appreciate your patience and cooperation,” the department stated at the time. “Further updates will be provided as information becomes available.”
In a subsequent update issued about 5 p.m., police reported that the campus had been deemed safe for normal operations following a thorough search conducted with assistance from the MCSO Bomb Squad.
Authorities said all students were safely reunited with their families through the established reunification process at the fairgrounds and had returned home.
Police did not immediately release details about the nature of the call that prompted the lockdown.
Earlier in the day, Monterey High School was also placed on lockdown following a possible hoax threat call, according to authorities.
No injuries were reported in either incident. King City police said the investigation remains ongoing, and no further updates would be provided at this time.
“We appreciate the cooperation, patience and understanding of our students, families, staff and community throughout this incident,” the department stated.
This story has been updated with additional information.
