Garfield High Evacuated After Nearby Explosives Raid

Garfield High School in East Los Angeles was evacuated Monday morning as a precaution because of extensive law enforcement activity and a nearby search warrant not related to immigration enforcement. All students and staff were temporarily relocated to Griffith STEAM Magnet Middle School (also reported as Griffith Junior High) and were accounted for; staff were allowed to return to campus several hours later. The warrant was part of a joint operation led by Yolo County authorities and involving the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Office of the State Fire Marshal and Cal Fire. Cal Fire, which has been investigating a deadly July 1 fireworks-facility explosion in Esparto, said investigators found items at the searched home that required bomb‑squad assistance and deputies removed several boxes from the residence. Authorities arrested one person on allegations of possessing explosives and destructive devices, and multiple agencies provided limited immediate comment as the investigation continued.