Serving Franklin County, WA
Serving Franklin County, WA
Student used name of teacher, another student to make threats
RITZVILLE — A 14-year-old is facing at least one charge of threats to bomb or injure property following social media posts to shoot classmates and blow up schools.
The boy was arrested today, Oct. 22, following an investigation into the threats reportedly found on social media last night.
The threats prompted school officials to close campuses today. Police also called in a bomb-sniffing dog. This evening, law enforcement officials remain at some of the school campuses.
Police have not identified the boy, citing Revised Code of Washington 13.50.050. His name will become public as part of superior court proceedings.
According to police, the boy used a teacher’s name and the name of another student in making threats to shoot people on campus and blow up schools.
Police have yet to identify the teacher.
“Through the investigation, we found a list of what appeared to be named targets of the juvenile suspect,” police said in a news release. Those names were of other students.
That list has not been released publicly.
“Parents were notified if their child was one of the named persons on the list,” the news release said. “The next step in this case is a risk assessment, which will be conducted in collaboration with the Lind-Ritzville School District.”
School officials are expected to meet to discuss a safety plan for targeted students.
As for the defendant, “The threat assessment will determine what will happen with the suspect in regard to continuing his education.”
Police said the investigation is ongoing and that sharing further details at this time could jeopardize the case.
Police thanked the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Hanford Patrol, FBI, the school district and residents for assisting with the investigation.
“We thank you for your patience and understanding regarding our inability to share specific details,” police said.
Roger Harnack is the owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers from Washington state to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.
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