Email To LAUSD Deemed 'Not Credible' Spoke Of Bombs In Backpacks, Local Jihadist Cell
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Portions of a rambling email that spurred the unprecedented closure of all campuses within the second-largest school district nationwide have been obtained by CBS News.
The email stated that "Every school in Los Angeles school district is being targeted" and included specifics about an alleged terrorist plot.
The threat went on to state: "We have bombs hidden in backpacks in lockers at several schools and they are strategically placed to crumble the foundations of the very buildings that monger so much hate."
They went on to say "I am Muslim and I've teamed up with a local jihadist cell and my 32 comrades will die tomorrow."
Congressman Brad Sherman was skeptical stating that the email was an obvious "hoax."
"There were elements of the email that were not credible," said Sherman. "I do not think that a terrorist here in the United States would have the nerve agent that this email claimed and I don't think that there could be 32 accomplices."
Congressman Adam Schiff of Burbank agreed, saying: "The preliminary assessment is that it was a hoax or something designed to disrupt school districts in large cities."
But Sherman says he's not going to second-guess.
"I'm not going to be a Tuesday morning quarterback," he said. "People had to react late last night and make a decision that would be applicable as of 7 o'clock this morning Los Angeles time and
I'm not going to second-guess them."
New York City also received threats on Tuesday, but dismissed the warning as an amateurish hoax and held class, reported the Associated Press. Detectives there served a subpoena on an email- hosting company they believe was used to masked those emails making them appear to be sent from out of the country.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said late Tuesday that the FBI has determined that the email was not a credible threat.
All schools within the district were expected to reopen on Wednesday with extra police patrols out of an abundance of caution, said LAPD Chief Charlie Beck.
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