Jennifer Gomes, PE teacher, allegedly left bomb threat because she didn't want to be at school

Update below: It's a temptation pretty much every student has felt -- the urge to make a bomb threat because of an impending test or an awful assignment or the feeling that there was something more important to do than go to school. Of course, most of us are able...

By Michael Roberts

October 25, 2011

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Update below: It's a temptation pretty much every student has felt -- the urge to make a bomb threat because of an impending test or an awful assignment or the feeling that there was something more important to do than go to school. Of course, most of us are able to resist such a notion -- but Denver Police say Jennifer Gomes succumbed to it. And she's a teacher.

That's the skinny from 9News, which reports that Gomes, a physical education teacher at Escuela de Guadalupe School, left a note on the facility's front door on October 17 reading, "There is a bomb inside."

Fortunately, there wasn't. And police say Gomes, who'd worked at the school since last year, admitted to placing the note there because when it came to teaching that day, she just wasn't that into it. Guess she wasn't shooting for perfect attendance.

We've placed calls to both the Denver Police Department and the Denver District Attorney's Office on this story. When they respond, we'll update this post.

Update, 3:01 p.m. October 25: Just heard from DPD spokesman Detective John White, who confirms the information above, as well as the current charge against Gomes -- false reporting of explosives, a class six felony. Adds Denver District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Lynn Kimbrough via e-mail, "She has been released from custody on a $2,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Denver County Court on November 3rd at 1:30 p.m. to be formally advised of the charge."

Here's a better look at Gomes's mug shot, followed by a probable cause statement.

Jennifer Gomes Probable Cause Statement

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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