Bomb Threat at Mesa High School

On Wednesday Sept 15th at about 9:55am I was just finishing up with a patient in my chair when my watch buzzed with a text from Lindsey. I glance at my watch and see she has sent a screen shot of something and is asking “Have you heard about this?!?” I dismiss my patient then quickly check my phone. I knew Lindsey wouldn’t text me while I was at work unless it was important. The pic she screen shot was a conversation on Facebook about a bomb threat at Mesa High School. My heart dropped to my stomach. I couldn’t believe what I was reading. A few minutes later I got another text from a friend in ward who is the mom of one of Mason’s friend Luke at school. The text read “Mason is the best. He just updated me on Luke. He probably told you they are getting evacuated to Mountain View. Lily just sent me this text. Wanted you to know they are all together”

Sick to my stomach feelings were quickly accompanied by a of slight flashing anger, betrayal, and annoyance. What the heck is my kid doing texting his friend’s mom but not thinking of his own mother? I immediately called Mason and had a heart to heart. He sounded excited on the phone talking about snipers on the roof at his school. At this point the whole school had been relocated/evacuated to the football field and then under the bleachers to get out of the sun. I reminded myself as I spoke to Mason that it could possibly be the last time I talk to him so I shouldn’t sound too angry over his lack of communication we could and would discuss that later. He apologized for not thinking to call me and we hung up. That kid... I love his enthusiasm for everything. But enthusiastic or not that didn’t help the fact that I felt so helpless. The school and authorities were not allowing parents pick up of the high schoolers and so I was forced to patiently just play the waiting game. Little did I know this waiting game would almost never end.

MHS evacuated the entire school by bus to Mountain View High School. The kids had to split up with half in the auditorium and half in gymnasium. No one had any personal belongings except possibly phones. (Unless their phones were in their backpacks back at MHS another thing they were not permitted to have with them) When they arrived at Mountain View they got to eat lunch (which by the time Mason got there the only option was PB and J sandwiches which he of course respectfully declined. That kid... insert major eye roll. 

For the next 6 hours he was told to sit on the bleacher seats in the gym. He could get up to get water or use the restroom. But that was it. He was not allowed or able to do anything. Masons’ phone had died about two hours into this whole ordeal so he was bored out of his mind and separated from his close friends. poor guy. 

His phone dying only increased my anxiety. With close to 4,000 students attending MHS I was stressed about meeting up with him when this was all said and done. At about 3pm I got the go ahead to pick him up at Mountain View. I had a few tender mercies that day. 

1-Lindsey (who doesn’t even have a kid attending MHS) generously drove to Mountain View to stand in line til I got there. (she lives super close to that campus)

2-I was able to communicate with Mason through some of my YW at church

After standing in line for about 30mins at Mountain View outside in the heat we  (all 400 parents in line at that time) were then told to go to MHS because they had decided to bus the kids back there. I once again wasn’t allowed to pick my kid up. I was anxious, defeated and disappointed. I could tell from the last few short conversations I’d had with Mason that the excitement had worn off and he was just done. I don’t envy the school district I know they were doing the best they could in a bad situation. I believe the police were part of the reason the kids were not allowed to be released for so long. I think they were conducting a thorough investigation. 

Trying to coordinate with Mason how to pick him up was tricky since he didn't have a phone. With thousands of parents driving to MHS I knew it would be difficult and a long process reuniting with him. We had a tentative plan for him to start walking home and I’d snag him along the way. Thankfully my 3rd tender mercy of the day was one of my young women graciously offering to bring Mason home. 

Mason walked in the door at 6:40pm. What a crazy day. The Bomb threat was a confirmed false alarm. No devices were found.

We celebrated the crazy by going to his Favorite place Freddy's and chowing down on a burger and fries.