For Immediate Release: Paradise Junior High School Lockdown
Date: April 24, 2026
On April 24, 2026, at approximately 12:25 PM, the Paradise Police Department was notified by Paradise
Junior High School staff of a document that was interpreted as a potential threat to students on campus.
Out of an abundance of caution, school officials immediately initiated a lockdown to ensure the safety of
all students and staff.
Paradise Police Officers responded promptly and worked in coordination with school officials to conduct
a thorough search of the campus. Following a comprehensive investigation, officers determined there
was no active threat to the safety of anyone on campus. The lockdown was subsequently lifted at
approximately 1:35 PM, and normal school operations resumed.
During the incident, numerous social media posts circulated containing unverified and, in some cases,
inaccurate information. These posts contributed to a significant increase in calls to the 911 center,
heightened anxiety among students, and required additional time for verification prior to official parent
notifications. The Paradise Police Department encourages parents to speak with their children about the
importance of sharing only verified and accurate information on social media platforms.
Several parents responded to the school to retrieve their children due to information shared online. The
Paradise Police Department appreciates the cooperation and composure demonstrated by those parents
while awaiting direction from law enforcement and school officials. Their patience helped ensure that
emergency personnel could effectively manage the situation and maintain campus safety.
The Paradise Police Department encourages community members to rely on official communication
channels for timely and accurate information. These include:
• FourSquare (for Paradise Unified School District families)
• RAVE Mobile Safety Notification System (available at www.TownofParadise.com under the
“Community Resources” tab)
• Paradise Police Department official Facebook page
• Town of Paradise official Facebook page
While the 911 system remains available for reporting emergencies, during critical incidents the public is
encouraged to await updates from official sources to allow dispatchers to focus on active emergency
response. For non-emergency inquiries or general information, the Paradise Police Department can be
reached at 530-872-6241.
LOCATION: Paradise Junior High School
SUSPECT(S): N/A
INVESTIGATING OFFICER: Officer G. Berk
