FOLSOM—Folsom police arrested a 53-year-old man armed with weapons Wednesday evening after he was seen on the Folsom High School campus making threatening statements, prompting a coach to call for an immediate lockdown.
According to Folsom Police, the incident occurred around 6:32 p.m. when a basketball coach encountered the man, later identified as Curt Taras of Folsom, on school property and realized he did not belong there. Out of concern for students and staff, the coach contacted authorities, and the campus was briefly locked down as a precaution while athletes were secured inside facilities.
According to radio traffic from the 911 call, the coach reported that Taras was walking around the property while using dialogue about potential “sniper points,” which added urgency to the police response. Officers quickly arrived and located Taras in the 1700 block of Iron Point Road, where he was detained without incident.
Police later confirmed that Taras was in possession of a concealed firearm, a high-capacity magazine, and a knife on school property. He was arrested and booked into the Sacramento County Jail on multiple charges, including making criminal threats, possession of a concealed firearm in a vehicle, possession of a high-capacity magazine, possession of a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of a knife on a school campus, and violation of a court order.
In a letter to parents, school officials said basketball coaches were the first to notice and confront the individual before calling police, and all athletes were held safely inside locked facilities until officers confirmed the campus was secure.
“We want to thank the individuals who recognized the seriousness of the situation and promptly reported it,” Folsom Police officials said in a statement. “Their quick action helped officers locate and detain the suspect and ensure everyone on campus was safe.”
At this times Taras remains in custody and according to jail records remains ineligible for bail.
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