Campus Alert Archive
Cal State LA

Phoned-in shooting threat empties a computer lab; deemed not credible

AI-generated · every claim is source-linked
CAthreat of violenceemergency notificationmedium confidence
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UnfoundedNo evidence of an actual threat was found. The institutional response is documented because the alert communication is identical to what would occur during a real incident.

Around 5:00 p.m. PDT on October 29, 2019, a caller threatened to shoot up the Annex Lab computer center at Salazar Hall at California State University, Los Angeles unless it was immediately evacuated. Cal State LA's Department of Public Safety evacuated the Annex Lab and emailed the campus community, characterizing the threat as non-credible. Six days later, a separate mass-shooter rumor targeted the John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, prompting a security increase but no formal evacuation.

Alerts
1
Response
—
Killed
0
Injured
0
Institution
California State University, Los Angeles
Public R2 · CA
All Cal State LA cases →
~26,000 studentsPublic Safety Alert
Documented Timeline

Alert Sequence

1 message in sequence · 1 verified verbatim

INITIAL ALERTEmail
Verified verbatimCal State LA University Times quoting the verbatim Public Safety Alert email text issued after the Annex Lab phoned threat185 chars
Out of an abundance of caution, the building was cleared. The Department of Public Safety is investigating the incident and has determined that there is no credible threat at this time.
Verbatim alert text quoted by the CSULA University Times student newspaper from the Public Safety Alert email
The email went out shortly after the 5:00 p.m. PDT phoned-in threat — University Times reported the message went to the entire university community via mass email
The phrase 'abundance of caution' became a recurring framing device in CSU-system alerts in the late 2010s, used here despite Public Safety having already deemed the threat non-credible in the same message
Notable that the alert was email-only, not SMS — Cal State LA's then-current Public Safety Alert system relied heavily on email broadcast
Message elements

How the first alert is built

To check this alert, Claude (an AI) read it in full 25 separate times, independently. Each read decided whether the message answers each of the six questions and gave a short reason. A final reviewer then weighed all 25 and wrote the plain-English verdict you see when you open a row. The score (for example 22/25) is how many reads agreed; the 25 individual reads are tucked underneath if you want to check them.

Out of an abundance of caution, the building was cleared. The Department of Public Safety is investigating the incident and has determined that there is no credible threat at this time.

  • Sourcepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads agree it names The Department of Public Safety as the investigating and issuing authority.

    Who is sending the alert and who is responding. People act faster on a message from a clearly identifiable, credible sender, such as a named department, the police, or a branded alert system, than on an anonymous notice. A branded signature counts.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It names "The Department of Public Safety", identifying the source.
    2. present: It names "The Department of Public Safety", the investigating authority.
    3. present: It names "The Department of Public Safety", the issuing authority.
    4. present: It names "The Department of Public Safety" as the investigating authority.
    5. present: It names "The Department of Public Safety", the investigating authority.
    6. present: It names "The Department of Public Safety", the issuing authority.
    7. present: "The Department of Public Safety" is named as the investigating authority.
    8. present: It names "The Department of Public Safety", an issuing authority.
    9. present: It names "The Department of Public Safety", the investigating authority.
    10. present: It names "The Department of Public Safety", the investigating authority.
    11. present: It names "The Department of Public Safety" as the investigating authority.
    12. present: "The Department of Public Safety" is named as the investigating authority.
    13. present: It names "The Department of Public Safety", the investigating authority.
    14. present: "The Department of Public Safety" is named as the investigating authority.
    15. present: It names "The Department of Public Safety", the issuing authority.
    16. present: "The Department of Public Safety" is named as the investigating authority.
    17. present: It names "The Department of Public Safety", the investigating authority.
    18. present: It names "The Department of Public Safety" as the investigating authority.
    19. present: It names "The Department of Public Safety" as the investigating authority.
    20. present: The text identifies "The Department of Public Safety" as the investigating authority.
    21. present: It names "The Department of Public Safety", the investigating authority.
    22. present: It names "The Department of Public Safety", identifying the issuing agency.
    23. present: It names "The Department of Public Safety" as the investigating authority.
    24. present: "The Department of Public Safety" identifies the issuing authority.
    25. present: It names "The Department of Public Safety", the investigating authority.
  • Hazardabsent0/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads agree no specific hazard is named; it refers only to the incident and no credible threat.

    What the threat actually is. A complete warning names the specific danger, such as a shooter, a fire, a tornado, or a gas leak, rather than a vague emergency, because people decide what to do based on what they are facing.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. absent: It names no specific threat, referring only to "the incident" and "no credible threat".
    2. absent: No specific hazard is named; it only says "the building was cleared" without stating the threat.
    3. absent: No specific hazard is named; it says only that "the building was cleared" after an unnamed incident.
    4. absent: No specific hazard is named, and it says "no credible threat at this time".
    5. absent: It says "no credible threat" without naming any specific hazard in this text.
    6. absent: "the incident" is generic and "no credible threat" is stated; no specific hazard is named.
    7. absent: No specific threat is named; it says only "the incident" with "no credible threat".
    8. absent: It says "no credible threat" and references only "the incident", not naming a specific hazard.
    9. absent: It refers to "the incident" and "no credible threat", naming no specific hazard.
    10. absent: No specific hazard is named; it refers to "the incident" without stating the threat.
    11. absent: It references only "the incident" and "no credible threat" without naming a specific hazard.
    12. absent: It states there is "no credible threat" and names no specific hazard.
    13. absent: It refers only to "the incident" and "no credible threat", naming no specific hazard.
    14. absent: It refers only to "the incident" and "no credible threat", naming no specific hazard.
    15. absent: It refers to "the incident" and a cleared building but names no specific hazard.
    16. absent: No specific threat is named; it cites only a generic "incident" with "no credible threat".
    17. absent: It refers only to "the incident" and "no credible threat" without naming a specific hazard.
    18. absent: "the incident" names no specific hazard; the text states "no credible threat" without naming one.
    19. absent: It says "the building was cleared" and "no credible threat" but never names a specific hazard.
    20. absent: No specific hazard is named; it only refers to "the incident" and "no credible threat".
    21. absent: It refers only to "the incident" and "no credible threat", naming no specific hazard.
    22. absent: It refers to "the incident" and "no credible threat" but does not name a specific hazard.
    23. absent: It refers only to "the incident" and "no credible threat", naming no specific hazard.
    24. absent: It refers only to "the incident" and "no credible threat" without naming a specific hazard.
    25. absent: No specific hazard is named; it refers only to "the incident" and "no credible threat".
  • Locationpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads agree it references the building that was cleared, a location reference.

    Where the threat is. Saying whether danger is in a specific building, a part of campus, or area-wide lets people judge their own proximity and choose a safe direction. Without a where, a warning is hard to act on precisely.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It says "the building" was cleared, a location reference.
    2. present: It references "the building", a location cue.
    3. present: It references "the building", a location.
    4. present: It specifies "the building" that was cleared.
    5. present: It says "the building was cleared", a location reference.
    6. present: It says "the building", a location.
    7. present: It references "the building" that was cleared, a location.
    8. present: It says "the building was cleared", a location reference.
    9. present: It refers to "the building" that was cleared, a location.
    10. present: It says "the building", a location reference.
    11. present: It references "the building" that was cleared, a location reference.
    12. present: It cites "the building" that was cleared, a location reference.
    13. present: It cites "the building" that was cleared, a location reference.
    14. present: It refers to "the building" that was cleared, a location cue.
    15. present: It cites "the building" that was cleared, a location reference.
    16. present: It references "the building" that was cleared, a location cue.
    17. present: It references "the building" that was cleared, a location.
    18. present: It refers to "the building" that "was cleared," a location.
    19. present: It references "the building" that was cleared, a location reference.
    20. present: It references "the building" that "was cleared".
    21. present: It says "the building", a location reference.
    22. present: It references "the building" that was cleared, a location cue.
    23. present: It says "the building was cleared", referencing a building location.
    24. present: It references "the building" that "was cleared", a location.
    25. present: It refers to "the building", a location cue.
  • Guidanceabsent0/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads agree it reports an all-clear status with no protective action directed to recipients.

    The protective action to take. A clear, specific instruction, such as shelter in place, evacuate, avoid the area, or run-hide-fight, drives faster and more correct protective behavior than describing the threat alone.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. absent: It states the building was cleared by responders but gives no protective action to recipients.
    2. absent: It reports no credible threat but gives no protective instruction to recipients.
    3. absent: It gives no protective instruction; it states "there is no credible threat at this time".
    4. absent: It reports the building was cleared but gives no instruction to recipients.
    5. absent: It reports an all-clear status but gives no protective action instruction to recipients.
    6. absent: It describes the building cleared and investigation but gives no instruction to recipients.
    7. absent: No protective action is directed to recipients; it reports the all-clear conclusion.
    8. absent: It states the building was cleared but gives no protective instruction to recipients.
    9. absent: It reports the building was cleared but gives recipients no protective instruction.
    10. absent: It states the building was cleared but gives no protective-action instruction to recipients.
    11. absent: It states there is no credible threat but gives recipients no protective action.
    12. absent: It reports the building was cleared but issues no protective-action instruction to recipients.
    13. absent: It describes the building being cleared and investigated but gives recipients no protective instruction.
    14. absent: It reports the building was cleared but gives recipients no protective instruction.
    15. absent: It says there is "no credible threat" and gives recipients no protective action.
    16. absent: It states there is no credible threat but gives no protective action to recipients.
    17. absent: It states the building was cleared and no threat exists but gives no instruction to recipients.
    18. absent: It describes responders clearing the building but gives recipients no protective instruction.
    19. absent: It reports no credible threat exists and gives recipients no protective instruction.
    20. absent: No protective action is instructed; it states there is "no credible threat at this time".
    21. absent: It reports the building was cleared but gives no protective instruction to recipients.
    22. absent: It reports the all-clear determination but gives recipients no protective action.
    23. absent: It says there is no credible threat but gives no protective-action instruction to recipients.
    24. absent: It reports the building was cleared and investigation is ongoing but gives no protective instruction.
    25. absent: It states the building was cleared and there is no credible threat but gives no protective instruction to recipients.
  • Timepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads agree it says at this time, a recency cue, so timing is present.

    When the message applies. A timestamp, the word now or immediately, or a phrase like until further notice tells the reader whether the danger is current and how quickly to act.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It says "at this time", a recency cue.
    2. present: It says "at this time", a recency cue.
    3. present: It says "at this time", a recency cue.
    4. present: It states "no credible threat at this time".
    5. present: It says there is no credible threat "at this time", a recency cue.
    6. present: "at this time" conveys a recency cue.
    7. present: "at this time" conveys a recency reference.
    8. present: "at this time" conveys present-time recency.
    9. present: "at this time" conveys present recency.
    10. present: It says "at this time", a recency cue.
    11. present: It uses "at this time", a recency cue.
    12. present: "at this time" conveys a recency cue.
    13. present: It says there is no credible threat "at this time", a recency cue.
    14. present: "at this time" conveys a recency cue.
    15. present: It says "at this time", a recency cue.
    16. present: It says "at this time", a recency cue.
    17. present: It uses "at this time", a present-time reference.
    18. present: It says "at this time," a recency cue.
    19. present: It says there is no credible threat "at this time", a recency cue.
    20. present: It uses "at this time", a recency cue.
    21. present: It says "at this time", a recency cue.
    22. present: "at this time" conveys a recency cue.
    23. present: It says "at this time", a recency cue.
    24. present: "at this time" conveys a recency cue about the threat status.
    25. present: It says "at this time", a recency cue.
  • Impactabsent0/25

    Final assessment

    Absent by unanimous agreement; all reads note the alert states the building was cleared and there is no credible threat.

    What the hazard could do to the people in its path. Beyond naming the threat, a complete warning conveys its potential consequences or severity, such as that a tornado can level buildings or that a leak could be explosive, so recipients grasp how much danger they are in. Research on warning message content finds that a concrete impact statement helps people personalize their risk and act sooner.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. absent: States the building was cleared and explicitly that there is no credible threat, conveying no harm.
    2. absent: States the building was cleared and there is no credible threat, no harm conveyed.
    3. absent: It states the building was cleared out of caution and there is no credible threat, negating impact.
    4. absent: It says the building was cleared as a precaution and there is no credible threat, stating no harm.
    5. absent: States the building was cleared and there is no credible threat, conveying no harm.
    6. absent: It says the building was cleared and explicitly states there is no credible threat, no stated harm.
    7. absent: Says the building was cleared and there is no credible threat, stating no harm.
    8. absent: Says building cleared out of caution and explicitly no credible threat, no stated harm.
    9. absent: States the building was cleared as a precaution and that there is no credible threat, so no harm conveyed.
    10. absent: States the building was cleared and there is no credible threat, explicitly negating any danger.
    11. absent: States a building was cleared out of caution and that there is no credible threat, conveying no harm.
    12. absent: States the building was cleared out of caution and there is no credible threat.
    13. absent: States a building was cleared and explicitly that there is no credible threat at this time.
    14. absent: States a building was cleared as a precaution but determined no credible threat exists.
    15. absent: It says a building was cleared as a precaution and that there is no credible threat, so no harm is conveyed.
    16. absent: States the building was cleared as a precaution and explicitly that there is no credible threat.
    17. absent: States the building was cleared as a precaution and explicitly says there is no credible threat.
    18. absent: States the building was cleared and there is no credible threat, so no harm conveyed.
    19. absent: It states the building was cleared and there is no credible threat, so no stated harm or danger.
    20. absent: States the building was cleared out of caution and explicitly says no credible threat, so no stated danger.
    21. absent: States there is no credible threat at this time, explicitly negating danger.
    22. absent: It states the building was cleared out of caution and explicitly found no credible threat, conveying no harm.
    23. absent: States the building was cleared as a precaution and that there is no credible threat, no stated harm.
    24. absent: States the building was cleared out of caution and there is no credible threat, so no harm conveyed.
    25. absent: It says a building was cleared and explicitly states there is no credible threat, no stated harm.

Systematic AI judgments with visible reasoning, not human-validated codings.

About this analysis
Context

Background

California State University, Los Angeles is a Hispanic-Serving Institution serving roughly 26,000 students in East Los Angeles, with one of the highest percentages of Latino enrollment among the 23 California State University campuses. On the afternoon of October 29, 2019, a caller phoned the Annex Lab computer center at Salazar Hall and threatened to shoot the lab unless it was evacuated. Cal State LA's Department of Public Safety evacuated the lab as a precaution and emailed the campus community, characterizing the threat as non-credible. Six days later, on November 4, 2019, a separate mass-shooter rumor targeted the John F. Kennedy Memorial Library — Public Safety responded with increased patrols but did not evacuate. The pair of incidents fits a broader pattern of campus threats hitting California universities in fall 2019 (including at Cal State Long Beach the same month) and would later be a touchstone in student petitions demanding that CSULA publish updated active-shooter protocols. The case is significant for the archive because it documents an HSI's email-only alert posture (rather than SMS-first) and the deliberate use of 'non-credible' framing in the same message that announces an evacuation, a tension that has since been criticized for muddying student understanding of risk.
Analysis

Key Findings

Cal State LA used email-only mass alerts for the evacuation, with no concurrent SMS, a posture that left the response slower than peer CSUs that had adopted SMS-first by 2019
The Annex Lab evacuation was driven by a phoned-in 'evacuate or I shoot' demand, a coercive call pattern distinct from anonymous tips or rumor-driven threats
Public Safety simultaneously evacuated the lab AND characterized the threat as 'non-credible' in the same message, a framing tension that has since been criticized for being confusing
A second mass-shooter rumor targeted the JFK Library six days later, drawing increased patrols but no evacuation, suggesting CSULA had begun calibrating its response by threat-channel credibility
The case became a touchstone in student petitions demanding clearer published active-shooter protocols at the HSI
Outcome
Annex Lab evacuated as a precaution. CSULA Department of Public Safety determined the threat was non-credible after officers patrolled the lab and surrounding areas. No suspect was publicly identified at the time. A subsequent library threat six days later prompted increased security but no evacuation. No arrests were publicly announced.
Provenance

Sources

  1. Student Paper
    BREAKING: Shooting Threat Called Into Annex Lab — University Times (CSULA student paper)
    csulauniversitytimes.com
    archived copy
  2. News
    Student Computer Lab at CSULA Evacuated Amid Shooting Threat — MyNewsLA
    mynewsla.com
    archived copy
  3. Student Paper
    Second Mass Shooter Threat within a Week Targets Library — University Times
    csulauniversitytimes.com
    archived copy
  4. News
    Cal State LA Receives Two Threats In the Span of a Week — Campus Security Today
    campussecuritytoday.com
    archived copy
  5. News
    Threat At Cal State Los Angeles Prompts Increase In Security — Patch
    patch.com
    archived copy
Cite this case

Campus Alert Archive. "California State University, Los Angeles: Phoned-in shooting threat empties a computer lab; deemed not credible." Incident of October 29, 2019. Added May 2026; last updated July 2026. https://campusalertarchive.com/case/cal-state-la-annex-lab-threat-2019-10-29/

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Alert text quoted on this page remains the work of the issuing institution; the archive is a secondary source.

Tags
threat-of-violencehsihispanic-servingcaliforniaevacuationcsu-systemannex-labsalazar-hallnon-crediblephoned-in-threateast-laUnfounded
Added May 2026Updated July 2026Via ingestion