Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Detectives Follow Up on Threats Aimed at AV College Personnel

LASD_BadgeA threat was communicated through the Facebook user page account of John Takashima, a 24-year old homeless man living in the Lancaster area, at approximately 11:00 a.m, Monday (9/9/13), and was reported to deputies of the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station.


The threat referenced weapons and using them to shoot police and personnel on the campus of Antelope Valley College. The author of the posting also sent a second message indicating a desire to commit suicide.


Campus Sheriff’s deputies and college adminstrators took the threats seriously and immediately began an investigation of the threats. The presence of deputies and campus security on and near the campus was increased to ensure public safety. Students were advised of the threat and asked to remain vigilant in reporting any suspicious activity to deputies.


Lancaster Sheriff’s Station deputies and Antelope Valley College sheriff’s deputies began a Criminal Threats investigation.


Detectives discovered that the owner of the Facebook page, John Takashima, had been in Los Angeles County Sheriff’s custody at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility since his September 4th arrest for an unrelated felony charge.


Detectives continue to work very closely with College Administration and Facebook operations. Additional resources have been dedicated to this investigation to continue to keep Antelope Valley College campus safe.


If you have any information about this incident, you are asked to contact Lancaster Sheriff’s Station Detectives Dillard or Rissling at (661) 948-8466. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org



Detectives Follow Up on Threats Aimed at AV College Personnel