Police subdue 21-year-old student waving large knife at Placentia school

PLACENTIA — A 21-year-old special needs student who police say waved a kitchen knife with an 8-inch blade in the front of a school in Placentia was taken into custody Friday after officers fired a foam round at him.

The incident happened at around 1 p.m., when officers responded to a call that a student was holding a large knife at George Key School at 710 Golden Ave., Placentia Police Sgt. Chris Anderson said.

The officers ordered the man to put down the knife numerous times, Anderson said in a news release.  After the man made a cutting gesture across his throat with his free hand, police fired a less-than-lethal foam ammunition round at him to prevent him from hurting or killing himself or the officers, Anderson said.

The student dropped the knife when he fell to the ground. Officers then handcuffed the man, who was treated at the scene by Orange County Fire Authority personnel for what was described as a minor wound. He was taken to a hospital, Anderson said, where he was put on a 72-hour mental health evaluation hold.

The man, whose name was not released, is a Placentia resident and a student at Venture Academy, which is affiliated with the George Key School.

An investigation revealed the knife was obtained from a cooking class on campus, Anderson said.

George Key School and nearby Golden Elementary School were placed on a brief lockdown, but no students were outside at the time and none were threatened, according to the release.

Police ask anyone with information about the incident to call Placentia Police Detectives at (714) 993-8164. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCSor on their website http://occrimestoppers.org.