News & Columns > Michael P. Neufeld > Parents Advised of High School Lockdown (Update 2)

Parents Advised of High School Lockdown (Update 2)

Criminal Threats lead to Arrest

By Michael P. Neufeld
Thursday, May 15, 2008

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Update 2 — Thursday, 5:25 a.m.

Big Bear City, CA — A 28-year-old Lake Erwin man is being held on $1 million bail after allegedly making criminal threats that forced the lockdown of Big Bear High School Wednesday morning.

David Lawrence Gam was arrested by Big Bear Sheriff's deputies at 7:43 a.m. near the corner of Greenspot Boulevard and Zaca Boulevard.

San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department spokesperson Tiffany Swantek. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

The lockdown at the high school prompted officials to issue the following statement to parents: "The Sheriff received a phone call regarding a threat against a Big Bear High School teacher. The officers arrived at the school to conduct an investigation and requested a lockdown to ensure the safety of students and staff."

The notice to parents continued: "Shortly after the lockdown was called, the suspect was taken into custody and the lockdown was lifted. At no time were the students in any danger. Big Bear High School administration, staff and students are to be commended for their speedy response to the lockdown request. The lockdown was seamlessly executed due to staff and student cooperation."

Big Bear Superior Court is located at 477 Summit Boulevard in Big Bear Lake. (Photo by San Bernardino County Superior Court.)

Gam, who is scheduled for an arraignment hearing TOMORROW (May 16) at the Big Bear Superior Court, remains in custody at the Big Bear Jail.

Two felony counts have been filed against Gam. The $1 million bail is for making a threat of death or great bodily injury against another person and $10,000 bail for illegal manufacturing of a weapon.

Update – Wednesday, 10:55 a.m.

Big Bear City, CA – A potentially dangerous situation at Big Bear High School shortly after 7 a.m. this morning was diffused by Big Bear Sheriff's deputies after a 28-year-old Erwin Lake man allegedly made criminal threats against two individuals including a teacher at the school.

Officials at Big Bear High, with assistance from deputies, immediately initiated security precautions to ensure the safety of the students and staff at the campus.

In a news release issued by Big Bear Sheriff's Department spokesperson Tiffany Swantek, the incident reportedly started when David Gam made criminal threats against an unidentified individual.

"The reporting party advised dispatch that Gam was making threats against the reporting party and a teacher at Big Bear High School," Swantek's release stated.

"Numerous Sheriff's units responded to the high school," the advisory continued, "surrounding the perimeter and blocking access to the campus by the subject.

"Following a check of the area," the news release added, "deputies detained Gam in his vehicle and the suspect was arrested without further incident."

Gam is currently incarcerated at the Big Bear Jail on felony charges of criminal threats in lieu of enhanced bail of $1 million. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

An arraignment hearing is set for Friday (May 16) at the Big Bear Superior Court.

Original Story 10:15 a.m.

Big Bear City, CA – Big Bear Sheriff's deputies diffused a potential dangerous situation at Big Bear High School this morning when a man made criminal threats against two individuals including a teacher at the school.

School officials immediately initiated security precautions to ensure the safety of the students and staff at the high school and the 28-year-old resident of Erwin Lake—David Gam—was placed under arrest.

Additional details about the incident shortly after 7 a.m. this morning will be released shortly.