(STORY IMAGE:KHQ.COM)
SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. -Spokane Valley School Resource Deputy Brian Lawler charged a high school student for making a threat to shoot up the school later in the week. The student, who was cooperative, said the threat was made during the heat of an argument and wasn’t planning to actually hurt anyone.
On November 8, 2017, Spokane Valley School Resource Deputy Lawler began investigating information regarding a possible threat made by an unidentified student at University High School. Deputy Lawler immediately contacted school administration and informed them of the threat.
Working together, a potential suspect was quickly identified and contacted. The student was cooperative and stated a discussion with three other students quickly turned into an argument. He felt the other students were ganging up on him, he got angry and made the threat. He stated he had no intention to actually harm anyone and he just 'made a stupid comment out of anger.'
The student was charged with felony Harassment, Threats to Harm.
This incident was handled immediately and highlights the partnership between the Spokane Valley Police, University High School Staff, Central Valley School District and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
Spokane Valley Police Department asks parents to please take a few minutes to talk with school aged children. Let them know if they hear someone making threats to harm someone at school to report it immediately to school staff or a School Resource Deputy (See it, Say It). Also, remind them threats like these are taken very seriously and they will be held accountable for threats like this, even if they are said in anger.