Lakeport Police Officer Jarvis Leishman, who is the school resource officer for the Lakeport Unified School District, said the fake device was found before the end of school Friday – which also happened to be the last day of school before the beginning of summer vacation.

A seventh grade boy had the object – made from a 12-ounce water bottle, a film canister and wires that were duct-taped together – in his backpack, said Leishman.

The boy and his friends reportedly play a game in which he planned to use the object. Leishman said the boy took it to school to show his buddies. “I don't think he really intended to scare anybody.”

Leishman said he was on his way to the school when the object was found, and fellow Lakeport Police Officer Jim Bell arrived before him to check out the situation.

Students were evacuated to the school's sports fields while the fake bomb was checked, said Leishman. It did look like a bomb, although “a poorly made one,” he said.

Bell looked it over and determined that it was a fake, Leishman said. The object felt heavy, and it turned out that the boy had filled it with dirt, which Bell confirmed after he opened it up and dumped it out.

Once the situation was determined to be resolved, the students were called back into their classrooms, roll call was taken and the children were sent home, said Leishman.

Although it was a fake, the boy may face some repercussions. “I cited him for possession of a facsimile bomb,” said Leishman.

He said the case was sent to the county's juvenile probation department, where they'll decide how to proceed.

Leishman said cases where fake bombs are prosecuted require a malicious intent, and he didn't believe that the child had intended any harm.

At the end of his first year as school resource officer, Leishman said this is the only incident of this kind to happen during his time with the school district.

There were, however, seven expulsions during the school year for students who made “active shooter” type threats against others in the district, he said.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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LisaCLK - Upside Down Registered | 06-17-2008 11:00:26 I am sorry but with the lack of education the public school provides, Our inability to get rid of non productive and uncaring tenured teachers while the new young energetic teachers are getting their laid off notices. The taking away of auto, wood, band, athletics, home economics classes and Lake County School officials making six figure incomes my kids are going to private school.

smurf - wow... Registered | 06-17-2008 11:00:28 sounds pretty lethal, a small water bottle filled with dirt that had a an empty film canister taped to it. This junior McVie should be sent to Gitmo and water boarded to find out what he was REALLY up to and what other attacks he and Bin laden were planning. Seven expulsions in one year for "active shooter' threats in that tiny district? So Lakeport is now the epicenter of terrorism in Lake County?

catlady - Take a breath Registered | 06-17-2008 20:24:28 I know this young man and there is nothing malicious about him. Youngster who made a poor choice. As long as he learns from it, I hope he takes this opportunity to rethink who he hangs out with. We are judged by the company we keep....that may be a sour pill for some to swallow but it remains the truth. Learn it when you are young and you'll have an easier time as you grow up.

Magnum Registered | 06-17-2008 21:04:13 Smurf...Why do all of your comments have to be so Stupid. I bet your family are sure proud of you, if they haven't disowned you.

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