Hundreds yanked from school over rumors of violence

This is an updated version of a story posted earlier on Tuesday.

BARSTOW — Rumors of more violence following a Monday fight at Barstow High School prompted hundreds of parents to take their children out of school Tuesday.

BHS Principal Claire Ellis said that about 500 students left school on Tuesday after parents became concerned for their safety. The Barstow Police Department increased the number of officers on and around the Barstow High School campus as well and despite no fights occurring Tuesday, intends to continue patrols throughout the week.

“When people are worried, it’s difficult to assuage people’s fears,” Ellis said after the school day ended on Tuesday. “We all want our school to be safe.”

The school was never locked down, Ellis said, and parents were free to pick up their children if they wanted to throughout the day. Besides fewer students and smaller classes, the day proceeded without incident, she said.

On Monday, several students were involved in a fight on campus that appears to have started at a party over the weekend, Ellis said. Rumors then started that there would be further violence at school, possibly during a lunch period, on Tuesday. Ellis said that because of the rumors, parents were notified of the situation at the school Tuesday morning through the district’s automated phone system. Hundreds of parents mobbed BHS after receiving the calls and stood in lines at the school’s attendance office.

Parked in a long line of cars outside the school, Alfred Duran said he didn’t know what to expect as he waited for his son, a BHS freshman.

“I’m pulling my son out,” he said. “Who knows what could happen? I ain’t going to take any chances.”

BHS senior Amanda Belmont, 17, stood on the steps waiting for her grandparents to pick her up early. She was going to go to her lunch period but saw only three or four students remaining in each class and became scared that something might happen.

“I leaving. I’m afraid. It might be just a rumor going around,” she said, “but everyone’s taking it seriously.”

Although many students were leaving, the school’s first and second period lunches appeared to go smoothly.

“It’s probably just an April Fool’s Day joke,” said Paige Davidson, a 17-year-old senior. She said she felt safe at the school.

Sgt. Andy Espinoza said the reaction of parents prompted the police department to place three officers on the campus and conduct roving patrols around the campus. He said students used cell phones to text and call parents, notifying of the rumors and police presence. To ensure safety, the police will continue to patrol the school grounds in the coming days, Espinoza said.

The students involved in Monday’s fight were put up for expulsion and not on campus on Tuesday, according to Ellis. Espinoza said the police department has done follow-up checks on the students and is continuing to investigate the matter. Anyone with information can call the police station at 256-2211. To remain anonymous, call WeTip at 1-800-78-CRIME or leave information on the WeTip Web site at www.wetip.com.