Incident: Rialto Police Department Responds to a Telephonic Threat at Joe Baca Middle School
Date / Time: October 2, 2025 / 12:25 p.m.
Location: Joe Baca Middle School 1600 Block of S. Lilac Ave. Bloomington, CA 92316
Case: 932511822
Suspect: Minor student of the school
Information:
This afternoon at approximately 12:25 p.m., the Rialto Police Department Communication’s Center received a text 911 notification report of an armed individual at Joe Baca Middle School.
The school was quickly placed on lockdown while Rialto officers, supported by surrounding law enforcement agencies, responded and conducted a systematic search of the school. After a thorough sweep of the campus, no armed individual was located and the lockdown was lifted.
Detectives with the Rialto Police Department conducted an extensive investigation tracing the phone location back to the school at the time of notification. Subscriber information led detectives to an address in Bloomington where they confirmed the cellular phone device to be in possession of a student at Joe Baca Middle School. Officers made contact with the student and confirmed the student was in possession of the phone and had made the false notification. The child was released to family and school officials were notified of the student’s actions. The phone was taken as evidence and the motive is still being investigated.
At this time, investigators believe this incident to have been an act of “swatting,” in which false emergency notifications are made to provoke a large law enforcement response. While no credible threat has been identified to our community, the Rialto Police Department treats all such calls with the highest level of seriousness to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and residents.
We want to reassure the community that there is no ongoing threat. However, filing a false police emergency report is a crime under California law, and those responsible for these incidents will be investigated and held accountable.
The Rialto Police Department remains committed to working closely with our schools, regional partners, and the community to ensure public safety.
Anyone with information related to this incident is urged to contact the Rialto Police Department at (909) 820-2550. Witnesses can also anonymously report information through WeTip at (800) 782-7463.
Media inquiries related to this case can be directed to Rialto Police Captain Mark Adams at (909) 820-8066 or MADAMS@RIALTOPD.COM.