A student at the Elk Grove Center reported on Thursday morning that they observed a male suspect with a handgun in the first floor men’s bathroom, according to a Los Rios Police Department crime bulletin.

At around 9:20-9:30 a.m., the witness reported they saw the male suspect, who was in an adjacent stall, remove a handgun from his backpack and load it, according to the crime bulletin.

“He was in the stall next to the suspect and witnessed it. A few minutes later, once the suspect walked out, so did the Elk Grove student and he reported it,” said Cosumnes River College Public Information Officer Kristie West.

The suspect was described as an adult male, wearing a baseball-style hat backwards and a backpack, according to the crime bulletin.

Law enforcement responded quickly on scene, as six units from the Elk Grove Police Department and four from the LRPD arrived at the Elk Grove Center, according to a faculty email update from CRC President Edward Bush.

Officers conducted several room-by-room searches throughout the center for anyone who matched the description. After several complete searches, no suspects were located with a weapon at the Elk Grove Center, according to the email.

A sworn police officer will remain at the center for the rest of the evening and for the next several days, West said.

“At this time, because the police officers have done a room-by-room search several times, they have told me that they believe the Elk Grove Center to be a safe place to be and that the suspect has left the premises,” West said.

“I do just want students to know that they should feel safe on the Elk Grove campus,” she said.

Anyone with additional information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact the Los Rios Police Department at (916) 558-2221, then press “0” and refer to case #16-0317.

We will continue to provide further information as it becomes available.