TORRANCE (CNS) – An ex-student at a Torrance special-education school was in custody Monday after allegedly stabbing three staff members and leaving two incendiary devices near the facility.
The violence broke out about 8:15 a.m. Monday at Switzer Learning Center, a private K-12 special-education school at 2201 Amapola Court, south of Del Amo Boulevard, according to the Torrance Police Department.
The former student also tried to stab a fourth staffer before fleeing, police said.
“Two of the victims were quickly transported to Harbor General Hospital and are currently receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries,” said Torrance police public information officer Lt. Fareed Ahmad.
A third victim was treated at the scene by Torrance Fire Department personnel, he said.
Torrance police issued a notice about 8:40 a.m. warning the public to avoid the area of Amapola Avenue and 205th Street due to police activity.
“Following the incident, the suspect was taken into custody by Torrance police without further incident,” Ahmad said. “During the apprehension, the suspect made statements indicating he had placed two pipe bombs in the vicinity of 208 Street and Amapola Avenue.”
The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department bomb squad was called in to search the area, and around 1 p.m., police reported that investigators had indeed found two devices that were “rendered safe.” The bomb squad deployed a robot during the investigation, police said.
Early Monday afternoon, police and sheriff’s investigators carried out a search of an apartment at Rindge Lane and Ripley Avenue, adjacent to Dominguez Park, in Redondo Beach. According to reports from the scene, the search was targeting the stabbing suspect’s home, possibly to determine if other explosive devices might be present.
An investigation was ongoing, and anyone with information was urged to cal police at 310-328-3456.
Recent Comments