Suspect In Citrus College Shooting Threat Arrested

GLENDORA,CA - Police arrested a 30-year-old Chino man for allegedly threatening to "shoot up" Citrus College in Glendora Tuesday, triggering a lockdown that lasted for hours and terrified students and teachers were ordered to find locked hiding places. The scare also prompted a lockdown at nearby Azusa Pacific University. Authorities were investigating to determine if the man was seeking to commit suicide by cop.

The investigation began after Glendora police received a call from a male threatening that he was on his way to "shoot up" Citrus College, located at 1000 W. Foothill Blvd., according to the Glendora Police Department.

The threat was treated as credible and the college campus and surrounding streets were locked down. The lockdown began shortly before noon when the campus sent a succinct warning to students was sent via Twitter.

"Go to the nearest room, turn off lights, lock the door and remain quiet," the university spokesperson advised over Twitter.

All on campus were advised to remain in place until the all-clear sounded.

"Officers, detectives and support personnel began investigating to identify a possible suspect, determine his location and bring the incident to a safe conclusion," said Glendora police Sgt. Shawna Celello. "The suspect's vehicle was located in a campus parking lot at 11:39 a.m. and based on the facts, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Bomb Squad was notified.

"The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Terrell Lee Bennett from Chino, surrendered peacefully and was taken into custody without further incident at 3:42 p.m.," according to Celello, who said Bennett is an online student at Citrus College and was scheduled to have an in-person class Tuesday. "The lockdown was lifted at 5:58 p.m. and all students, faculty and staff were safely evacuated and released."

In response to the Citrus College police investigation, nearby Azusa Pacific University went on lockdown, as well. That lockdown was lifted as of 4 p.m., according to the school.

The lockdown guidelines are consistent with an active shooter scenario during an investigation though Glendora police confirmed to Patch that no shooting had been reported.

Hours later, officers were still clearing the scene, classroom by classroom while nervous students monitored the situation over Twitter.

In the sky above, news and media helicopters got a little too close to the action and were asked by police to increase altitude and zoom in so as not to compromise officer positions.

Patch has reached out to both the Glendora Police Department and to Citrus College for further information and will add to this report when it is received.

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