Pictured is the men’s bathroom sign to the location where a firecracker was discharged during school hours in a bathroom adjoining the Recreation Center and River City High School on Oct. 9. Two juveniles were cited for unlawful possession of explosives and one adult suffered minor injuries, according to the West Sacramento Police Department. Photo by Seth Henderson

WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - An adult reportedly sustained minor injuries after a firecracker was discharged in a restroom connecting River City High School and the West Sacramento Recreation Center, while school was in session on Oct. 9 according to the West Sacramento Police Department.

Between noon and 1 p.m. Oct. 9, police and fire crews responded to reports of a fire alarm at River City High School, according to initial dispatch radio traffic. 

School officials confirmed that the fire alarm had been pulled in the Recreation Center, causing a standard evacuation procedure. An assistant principal directed fire personnel to a fire panel, confirming the location where the fire alarm was pulled.

School officials said that they consulted with recreation center personnel, confirming that a firecracker had been discharged in the bathroom. A black soot-like residue was reportedly still visible in the restroom after the explosion.

“Two juveniles were cited by law enforcement for unlawful possession of explosives and released to their guardians,” Community Outreach and Support Division Manager Taylor Nelson said. “This incident could have ended tragically and we encourage parents to have discussions with their children about the danger of firecrackers, and safe and legal use of safe and sane fireworks under adult supervision only.”

Giorgos Kazanis, the district’s executive director of communications, confirmed that the two juveniles cited by police were River City High School students. He said any disciplinary action would follow the district’s policies and procedures consistent with applicable laws, using the district’s discipline matrix. 

“We also want to share our appreciation for the rapid response by school staff, the West Sacramento Fire Department and the West Sacramento Police Department in ensuring the well-being of our school community,” Kazanis said. 

River City High School Principal Jacob Geivett said that anyone who needed medical attention were treated when the fire department and paramedics immediately arrived on scene. The fire department surveyed the area, Geivett said, clearing both the recreation center and the high school as safe. 

“We take all student and staff safety concerns very seriously and definitely when we have a fire alarm or a different type of emergency procedure,” Geivett said. “We follow the proper protocols and procedures on those, and this is one that I feel we followed very well, making sure we immediately located the incident and made sure everyone was safe during the incident.” 

Geivett said that two press releases went out to parents of River City High School with one informing them of the reason why a fire alarm was pulled and the other declaring to families that the fire department had cleared the scene. 

According to the Washington Unified School District website, the district strengthens school safety through the adaptation of Standard Response Protocol (SRP). The plan features “clear communication and actionable steps for scenarios such as Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate and Shelter. The website states that comprehensive training takes place for first responders, students and staff to ensure an effective response to emergencies. 

To learn more about the Washington Unified School District’s emergency response policies and protocol, visit the district’s Safety and Security Hub at https://www.wusd.k12.ca.us/Students--Families/Resources/Safety--Security/index.html.

River City High School has a student population of more than 2,000 and is located at 1 Raider Lane in West Sacramento. Learn more about River City High School by visiting its website at https://rivercity.wusd.k12.ca.us.