Antelope Valley College cancelled classes on Tuesday morning after a threat of violence in the form of text messages was sent to students warning of a “horrible disaster.”

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Palmdale station took reports from several students late last night or early this morning about the threat.

A screenshot of the text message threatening violence sent to students. Photo courtesy of
Samantha Hults, Facebook.

“Threats came in the overnight hours to students referencing general violence,” said Liz Diachun, executive director of marketing and public information at Antelope Valley College.

The message sent to students referenced “a horrible disaster” which would take place at 9:45 a.m. at Antelope Valley College.

The texts prompted the closure of the school’s two campuses located near West Avenue K in Lancaster and near Palmdale Blvd. in Palmdale, which combined, serves approximately 14,000 students, according to Diachun.

Students of Antelope Valley College were notified about the threats at approximately 8 a.m. via the school’s emergency alert system, said Diachun.

“(The college) is taking these threats very seriously,” Diachun said.

Deputies will be patrolling the school’s two campuses throughout the day on Tuesday.

Both campuses were closed for day classes, however “it is (the college’s) intention to be open (in time for) night classes,” Diachun said.

The school will make the call by 4 p.m. and an announcement will be posted on their website and social media accounts.

Diachun estimated approximately 5,000 students in total had classes at the college’s campuses today.