Hillsdale High evacuated after bomb set off; Male, 17, believed to be former student, arrested

A call went out to police shortly after 8 a.m. Monday that an armed person was on campus, said Lt. Mike Brunicardi. A small explosion occurred on the campus. Students and faculty were evacuated to nearby Abbott Middle School in San Mateo. The suspect, who has yet to be identified by police, was arrested shortly after. Police do not believe anyone else was involved. A press conference is scheduled for later today.

This is Hillsdale’s second week in session. Students reported being in first period when the power went off and the fire alarm sounded.

Sixteen-year-old Brittany Venturelli recalled thinking it was a drill but noted the teacher’s reaction made her think otherwise. Venturelli called her father, Richard, who was able to head down to Abbott. The two remained in contact via cell phone before meeting up on campus.

An explosion did go off, after which students were evacuated. The police cleared the campus then the bomb squad checked the campus to see if there were any additional explosives, said Brunicardi, who was not aware if there was any threats or warning about the attack. Students were unaware of the man’s name but identified him as a Hillsdale alumnus.

One parent was walking with her son, who does not have a first period class, to Hillsdale while the fire alarm was going off. She sent her son to school thinking he was missing a drill and might be marked tardy. The mistake resulted in a trip back to school to pick up her son from Abbott.

Sophomore Roy Kesserwani noted a student from his chemistry class came into the room from outside talking about a guy with a chain saw outside. Kesserwani was leery of leaving the classroom despite the fire alarm until a police officer knocked on the classroom.

Michael Siracusa, 15, thought it was fake at first.

Senior Kirk Hansson was in band. He thought it was just a drill or a gag, so he left his baritone saxophone and backpack in the classroom. He simply brought a book.

"Someone always pulls the alarm at the start of school,” he said.

Once he learned they were being evacuated, Hansson used a friend’s cell phone to call his mom, Pam, who was at work at Stanford. Pam Hansson needed to borrow a car to pick up her son.

Pam Hansson noted she was impressed by the way the district handled the situation. She heard from her son then received a recorded message from the school about the incident.

Classes at Abbott went on uninterrupted. Abbott and Hillsdale act as an evacuation site for each other, explained Joan Rosas, assistant superintendent of human resources for the San Mateo-Foster City Elementary School District.

San Mateo-Foster City officials learned of the need to evacuate Hillsdale around 8:30 a.m. Once it was understood Abbott was not in danger, classes went on as scheduled, said Rosas.

"Everyone has been responsive, calm and respectful — both the Hillsdale and Abbott students, faculty and parents. Everyone has been calm, making this go much smoother,” said Rosas.

Heather Murtagh can be reached by e-mail: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105.