Sutter Middle School in Sacramento placed on precautionary lockdown for potential threat

Authorities on Monday placed Sutter Middle School in East Sacramento on a precautionary lockdown after school officials learned of a potential safety threat.

Campus officials immediately notified the Sacramento Police Department and Sacramento City Unified School District safety personnel, Sutter Middle School Principal Cristin Tahara told parents in an email Monday afternoon.

Tahara said police officers arrived quickly on campus at 1350 I St. and did not find any credible threat. She said classes were able to safely continue as scheduled.

“We take all matters of student safety seriously, and do not hesitate to reach out to law enforcement any time we have a concern about safety,” Tahara said in the email to parents. “Please encourage your child to let a teacher or administrator know if a situation exists which could ever place them and others in danger.”

It remained unclear what exactly led school officials to believe there was a potential threat on campus.

The Police Department said it was school district officials initiated the lockdown and referred news media questions to the school district.

Al Goldberg, a school district spokesman, declined to answer questions about the perceived threat, saying the principal’s letter to parents “serves as our statement regarding this incident.” Tahara’s message to parents promised to provide an update as new information is made available.