Police Clear Berkeley Hall School After Swatting Call

Authorities lifted a lockdown at the Los Angeles school after determining a firearm threat was unfounded.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Law Enforcement

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a school facade, evoking the gravity of an emergency security incident in an institutional style. — Police cleared the Berkeley Hall School in Los Angeles on Tuesday after a firearm threat was determined to be a swatting call. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Police responded to a lockdown at Berkeley Hall School on Mulholland Drive following reports of a firearm threat. Officers determined the report was an apparent swatting call and found no weapons on campus.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the disruption caused by swatting, which forces schools into emergency security protocols and triggers significant community alarm. Unfounded reports of violence strain police resources and create panic for parents and students.

The school was under a restricted lockdown for approximately one hour while police searched the campus at the 16000 block of Mulholland Drive. Authorities confirmed no weapon was found and are investigating the source of the false threat.

The players

Berkeley Hall School

An educational institution located on Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles that was the subject of an emergency lockdown.

The details

Police arrived at the school grounds to conduct a thorough search after receiving reports of an active threat. Following the clearance of the building, parents arrived at the campus to pick up their children, leading to traffic congestion in the area.

The lockdown occurred on Monday, October 26, 2026.

Legal Context

This event follows a pattern set by the nationwide trend of swatting hoaxes against schools, which has forced departments to standardize response protocols. Such incidents reflect broader challenges in balancing rapid emergency response with the prevalence of digital hoaxes.

The investigation caused significant traffic congestion near Mulholland Drive and the 405 Freeway as parents arrived to retrieve their children. Residents and local commuters should expect sporadic traffic delays during emergency incidents near school zones.

The takeaway

Swatting incidents create immediate panic and operational challenges for school safety administrators and law enforcement. Families should ensure their school emergency contact information is current to facilitate faster communication during unexpected lockdowns.