Introduction to the Incident
An ex-student allegedly stabbed three staff members and made a bomb threat at a Torrance special-education school on Monday morning, Oct. 13, according to Torrance police.
The violence broke out about 8:15 a.m. at Switzer Learning Center, a private K-12 special-education school at 2201 Amapola Court, south of Del Amo Boulevard.
The suspect attempted to stab a fourth before he fled.
Officers took the suspect into custody, and he said he placed two pipe bombs in the area of 208 Street and Amapola Avenue, Torrance police said.
The Los Angeles County sheriff’s bomb squad was on the way to the scene to investigate the bomb threat; the public was advised to avoid the area.
Response and Aftermath
Two of the victims were taken to a hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The third victim was treated at the scene by the Torrance Fire Department.
Around noon, a loud explosion was heard near the Switzer Learning Center. Torrance police had not released information about the noise, including whether a bomb was destroyed.
The school, nestled between commercial buildings, has been surrounded by police and Torrance Fire Department officials with no street access to the campus.
Surrounding businesses were sheltering in place as the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad works to find any bombs.
About the School
The Switzer Learning Center offers specialized behavior support for students, with special-education teachers in addition to therapists, speech and language pathologists and certified Crisis Prevention Intervention behavior specialists, according to the school’s website.
The school was established in Torrance in 1972 by Janet Switzer, an educator focused on kids with learning disabilities. Students can be referred to Switzer from their home school district; parents can enroll them at the campus as well.
It was unclear how many students were at Switzer on Monday, but in 2023-2024 the school had 58 students, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Students were at the school on Monday, according to ABC7. What appeared to be a backpack and knife were seen on the grass at the scene via ABC7’s helicopter images.
Conclusion
This incident highlights the importance of school safety and the need for effective measures to prevent such violent acts. The investigation is ongoing, and the community is awaiting further updates on the situation. The Switzer Learning Center and the affected families are in the thoughts of the community during this difficult time.
FAQs
Q: What happened at the Switzer Learning Center?
A: An ex-student allegedly stabbed three staff members and made a bomb threat at the school.
Q: When did the incident occur?
A: The incident occurred on Monday morning, Oct. 13.
Q: How many victims were injured?
A: Three staff members were injured, with two taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and the third treated at the scene.
Q: Was the suspect taken into custody?
A: Yes, the suspect was taken into custody by Torrance police.
Q: Is the school safe now?
A: The school is currently surrounded by police and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad, and surrounding businesses are sheltering in place as a precaution.
