Palomar College Lockdown: Pursuit of Armed Suspect Prompts Lockdown – San Marcos, CA

The Palomar College campus in San Marcos, California, was briefly placed on lockdown on November 10, 2025, after reports of an armed suspect in the area prompted an emergency response from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.

According to campus officials, the lockdown began at 3:34 p.m. as a precautionary measure while deputies pursued the suspect near the eastern side of campus. Students, faculty, and staff were immediately instructed to shelter in place and remain indoors until authorities confirmed the situation was safe.

By 3:53 p.m., the lockdown was lifted after law enforcement successfully arrested the suspect without incident in Parking Lot 3, located on the far east end of campus.

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Law Enforcement Response

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, in coordination with Palomar College Police, quickly secured the campus perimeter and initiated search procedures to ensure the safety of students and staff.

Campus alerts were sent out via text message, email, and Palomar’s emergency notification system, instructing everyone to lock doors, stay away from windows, and await further instructions.

Once the suspect was taken into custody, deputies conducted a thorough sweep of the area to verify there were no additional threats before issuing the “all clear.”

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College Statement and Community Reaction

Following the incident, Palomar College officials released a statement thanking students, faculty, and law enforcement for their calm and prompt response during the lockdown.

“Today’s lockdown was enacted out of an abundance of caution while deputies pursued a suspect near campus. We are grateful to the Sheriff’s Department for their quick resolution and to our students and employees for following safety protocols,” the statement read.

Students expressed both relief and gratitude for the rapid communication from the college’s alert system. Many noted how efficiently the situation was handled and appreciated the transparency from campus police as updates were shared.

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Safety Protocols and Preparedness

Palomar College has a well-established emergency response plan designed to protect its campus community in the event of threats such as active suspects or nearby criminal activity.

During lockdowns, the college advises all individuals to:

• Remain in a secure location

• Lock or barricade doors when possible

• Silence electronic devices

• Await official “all clear” messages before resuming activity

The swift response and resolution of this incident highlighted the importance of these preparedness measures.

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Ongoing Safety Commitment

While no injuries were reported during the November 10 incident, college officials have reiterated their commitment to maintaining a safe and secure learning environment for all students and staff.

Counseling and support resources are being made available for anyone who may have felt distressed during the lockdown.

Authorities have not yet released the identity of the suspect or details regarding the nature of the pursuit. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department continues to investigate the case.

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Conclusion

The Palomar College lockdown on November 10, 2025, ended safely thanks to the quick actions of law enforcement and campus officials. The suspect’s arrest without incident brought relief to the San Marcos community, reaffirming the college’s strong emergency response system and dedication to student safety.