A tense confrontation between Saugus High School students and a man in a black truck has sparked concern in Santa Clarita after students claimed the man threatened to shoot them during an anti-ICE protest.
The incident occurred Tuesday afternoon at Central Park near Saugus High School, where dozens of students had walked out during sixth period to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Students carried signs, wore face paint, and waved flags as part of their demonstration.
According to witnesses, the situation escalated when a man in a black truck approached the protesters. Video footage shows students running away from the vehicle in apparent fear.
“That’s when I found out there was a young man in a red sweatshirt who is a senior at Saugus and that the gentleman in the car had threatened to shoot him in the face,” said Rebecca Hindman, who runs the social media group “Rise Up SCV” and witnessed the aftermath of the incident, according to FOX LA.
Bronson K., a freshman at Saugus High who did not wish to give his last name, described the confrontation: “He was saying something, and my friend was just like, ‘Do you want to have a political argument about this?’ and he was like, ‘I’ll shoot you in the face,'” he told The Signal.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded to a call about a possible person with a gun around 3:38 p.m., arriving approximately seven minutes later. However, deputies reported finding no weapon and no evidence of a crime at the scene.
“Responding deputies canvassed the area but were unable to locate the male adult. The Deputies contacted the involved parties at the scene, and the incident was documented. Investigators are continuing to pursue leads and are contacting additional witnesses as part of the ongoing investigation,” the Sheriff’s Department said in a statement.
The alleged threat carries particular weight in this community, as Saugus High School experienced a mass shooting on November 14, 2019.
“From the videos I’ve seen, something was definitely used to threaten him. I don’t know what because the initial reaction of the students that were there was definitely fear,” Hindman added.
When asked about their motivation for participating in the walkout, Clarence B., a Saugus High senior who also requested his last name be withheld, explained: “As a Native American, being on stolen land it’s just crazy that someone could try to push their stuff onto other people. It’s just, like, it doesn’t make sense, and why can’t everybody live along and (be) equal, as it should be.”
The Sheriff’s Department continues to investigate the incident and is seeking additional witnesses.
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