A report of a man carrying a gun near an elementary school in Salton City on Thursday, Aug. 20, prompted a law enforcement response that included the U.S. Border Patrol, though authorities later said there was no known threat.
Although the presence of immigration enforcement officers prompted discussion and concern in social media discussions, it did not appear the officers were there for any immigration enforcement. Rather, they were requested by the sheriff's department because they were nearby law enforcement officers who could help. The Border Patrol did not issue a statement about the incident.
The Imperial County Sheriff's Department said it received a report around 6:55 a.m. Thursday of a man walking with a firearm near Dalton Drive and
South Marina Drive, near Sea View Elementary School, and immediately requested assistance from Border Patrol to "ensure the safety of the community," the department said in a news release.
Sea View Elementary and West Shores High School, less than 2 miles apart, were both placed on lockdown "out of an abundance of caution," while authorities investigated. The two campuses are Coachella Valley Unified School District's only schools in Imperial County.
The sheriff's department said deputies conducted "extensive searches" and found no known threat to either school or the surrounding community.
It was the second day of the 2026-27 school year, though classes had not yet begun for the day at Sea View Elementary or West Shores High, which serves grades 7-12. A lockdown typically involves securing classroom and building doors, closing blinds and keeping students away from windows and doors. The sheriff's department and school district did not immediately provide the time or duration of the lockdowns Friday.
CVUSD has not had law enforcement, known as school resource officers, stationed at its middle or high schools since 2018, unlike the two neighboring K-12 districts across the Coachella Valley.
Jennifer Cortez covers education and breaking news in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at jennifer.cortez@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: No threat found after man with gun reported near Salton City schools
