Schools in Los Angeles are all closed because of a 'credible' threat of violence

Every school in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) was closed

Tuesday because of what officials described as a "credible" threat of violence.

"The school district received a safety threat that we’re in the process of evaluating and vetting … As you can imagine, we take all threats seriously," Jorge Villegas, the assistant chief of the LAPD, said at a press conference Tuesday morning.

Students were all sent home on Tuesday morning, according to NBC Los Angeles, which noted that LAUSD is the second-largest school district in the US with 900 schools. Each of those 900 schools will be searched. The FBI is assisting with the investigation, which involved backpacks and packages left on campus, according to the Los Angeles Times.

“The actions that we are taking today are swift and they are appropriate … The education of our kids is incredibly important. The only thing that’s more important is their safety,” Steve Zimmer, the president of the LAUSD school board, said.

Later, Zimmer called the threat "an almost unprecedented situation."

"The threat's a serious threat," he said, later acknowledging that it would be a "long day" since each of the 900 schools would have to be searched.

When asked why LAUSD took the step of closing all schools, LAUSD Superintendent Ramon Cortines mentioned the terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California, less than two weeks ago, in which 14 people were killed.

"I, as superintendent, am not going to take chances with the life of the student," Cortines added.

The Los Angeles Times reports the threat was a bomb threat called into a school board member, though it's unclear which board member was threatened.

Several school bus drivers told ABC 7 that dispatchers had called them to their respective depots in the morning, but school officials said no buses were threatened.

This story is developing. for more information follow up at insider