Missing man who prompted Pierce College evacuation is detained

A man who was reported missing and triggered a precautionary evacuation at Pierce College on Friday was apprehended at the Canoga Park Bowl shortly before 1 p.m., Los Angeles police said.

Pierce College was evacuated as a precautionary measure after the man, who lives near the campus, was reported missing and was feared to be armed and suicidal.

The man, who was not identified, was taken to a local hospital for medical evaluation after he was found at the bowling alley a short time later, said LAPD Officer Norma Eiseman.

Officers suspected he may have been under the influence of narcotics. They did not say whether he had a weapon, as had been feared when he was reported missing earlier in the day.

Pierce College campus police said the man’s mother found a suicide note Friday morning, prompting her to call Los Angeles police, which alerted the college at 10:45 a.m.

The college was evacuated as authorities searched the Woodland Hills campus for the man. Authorities said he was not a student at the college.

A speech tournament planned for the day was also called off as a result of the shutdown.