Multiple San Diego Police Department vehicles lined the roadway and parking areas outside the zoo entrance as officers converged on the property with emergency lights activated. Witnesses described confusion at the gates, temporary restrictions on guests entering and exiting, and large numbers of police officers moving through portions of the zoo.
The incident rapidly spread across social media and Reddit Sunday afternoon after a user claiming their partner was working at the zoo posted that there was “a person with a gun threatening to shoot people over by the lions.” The post quickly generated hundreds of comments from zoo guests, local residents, and others attempting to determine whether there was an active threat or false alarm.
Several commenters stated they personally witnessed large numbers of police vehicles entering the zoo property.
“I was leaving and saw 15+ cop cars drive into the zoo with their lights in,” one user wrote.
Another guest commented, “They blocked us from leaving for a very short while (less than 5 minutes) and we saw about 10 cops on foot while walking to the exit. They are not letting people in either.”
Others inside the zoo reported seeing police activity near the lion and elephant areas, though multiple visitors stated they had not heard gunshots or witnessed violence.
“Lions/elephant area was cleared by cops 5 mins ago. Nothing suspicious,” one commenter wrote.
Another visitor inside the zoo said they were near the lion exhibit and “did not see any police or anyone with a gun or anything out of the ordinary.”
As panic and speculation spread online, several commenters cautioned against assuming an active shooter situation had occurred without official confirmation. Others noted that modern law enforcement terminology often distinguishes between an “active shooter,” an “active threat,” or reports of a person allegedly carrying a firearm.
One commenter claiming to have spoken with an SDPD officer stated police had responded to an “active shooter threat/person with a gun,” while also acknowledging that such calls do not necessarily mean shots were fired.
The heightened anxiety comes less than a week after the deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, an attack that has left many local residents especially sensitive to reports of potential mass violence.
The incident also reignited discussion online regarding security procedures at the zoo, with several commenters expressing surprise that the facility does not utilize metal detectors at entrances similar to those used at theme parks like SeaWorld San Diego and LEGOLAND California.
Another visitor inside the zoo said they were near the lion exhibit and “did not see any police or anyone with a gun or anything out of the ordinary.”
As panic and speculation spread online, several commenters cautioned against assuming an active shooter situation had occurred without official confirmation. Others noted that modern law enforcement terminology often distinguishes between an “active shooter,” an “active threat,” or reports of a person allegedly carrying a firearm.
One commenter claiming to have spoken with an SDPD officer stated police had responded to an “active shooter threat/person with a gun,” while also acknowledging that such calls do not necessarily mean shots were fired.
The heightened anxiety comes less than a week after the deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, an attack that has left many local residents especially sensitive to reports of potential mass violence.
The incident also reignited discussion online regarding security procedures at the zoo, with several commenters expressing surprise that the facility does not utilize metal detectors at entrances similar to those used at theme parks like SeaWorld San Diego and LEGOLAND California.
At approximately 2:24pm, the San Diego Police Department issued a public statement confirming that officers responded to a reported “potential threat” at the zoo around 1:10pm.
“Officers responded along with the SDPD units working the Zoo,” the department stated. “They checked the area as well as surveillance footage for any indication of a suspect. Nothing was located.”
Shortly afterward, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance released its own statement, describing the incident as a “potentially dangerous threat” that was ultimately determined by SDPD to be a hoax.
“Today, we were made aware of a potentially dangerous threat directed at the San Diego Zoo,” the zoo stated. “Upon investigation, the San Diego Police Department determined it was a hoax and there is no active threat to guests at this time.”
The zoo added that “the safety and well-being of our wildlife, team members, and guests remain our highest priority.”
Authorities have not announced any arrests or publicly identified the source of the reported threat.
“Officers responded along with the SDPD units working the Zoo,” the department stated. “They checked the area as well as surveillance footage for any indication of a suspect. Nothing was located.”
Shortly afterward, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance released its own statement, describing the incident as a “potentially dangerous threat” that was ultimately determined by SDPD to be a hoax.
“Today, we were made aware of a potentially dangerous threat directed at the San Diego Zoo,” the zoo stated. “Upon investigation, the San Diego Police Department determined it was a hoax and there is no active threat to guests at this time.”
The zoo added that “the safety and well-being of our wildlife, team members, and guests remain our highest priority.”
Authorities have not announced any arrests or publicly identified the source of the reported threat.
This is a developing story and may be updated as additional information becomes available.
Originally published on May 24, 2026.
