Update 6:30 p.m.   Approximately one-third of students stayed home today as a result of a rumored school shooting.  According to posts by parents and students at Facebook and 10 News, some authorities were aware of the potential threats on Friday.  Some parents have questioned why the District did not notify parents on Friday, why a parent meeting has not been called, and whether adequate steps have been taken to protect student safety.

December 13, 2010 (Lakeside) – A parent of two teens at El Capitan High School notified East County Magazine late last night that there is a “major rumor running that there is going to be a shooting tomorrow at the school.” The source said the shooting was rumored to be planned in retaliation for the death of former El Capitan student Christopher Carioscia, whose body was found at Barona last week following discovery of his burned car. The parent said Carioscia also went by the name Chris Younghusband. Law enforcement officials have previously stated that Carioscia had a history of drug problems.

Detective Jason Rouse at the Santee Sheriff’s substation confirmed, “We have received reports from several parents. At this point we have not been able to identify a source other than there’s lots of kids on Facebook saying they’ve heard about this.”

November 20, 2010 (Lakeside) – Christopher Cory Carioscia, 17, told his family he was going surfing at Pacific Beach on the evening of October 26th. The former El Capitan High School student hasn’t been seen by his family since.

The Sheriff’s department never notified the media about the teen’s disappearance, although it’s been reported on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Chldren website and other missing children sites. Now, the Union-Tribune reports that Carioscia’s car was found burned on the Barona reservation the day after he vanished.