CLARKSTON, WA – Clarkston High School was one of several Washington State schools that were hit with “active shooter” hoaxes this morning. Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to CHS at around 10:17 a.m. after the Clarkston Police Department received a call that a shooter was in front of the school, according to Chief Joel Hastings.
Hastings says CHS wasn’t the only school in this region to receive the same phone call.
The Pullman Police Department reported that officers cleared the building but found no threat by 10:30 a.m. after there were reports of an “active shooter.” Hastings says the Clarkston Police Department received a similar hoax call two weeks ago.
Spokane Public Schools issued a statement saying threats were reported regarding the Central Valley School District at approximately 9:50 a.m. but it was also determined to be a hoax.
“It was quickly determined the call was a sickening and despicable hoax, and at no time were any of the students or staff in danger,” the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office says. “There is absolutely no reason for someone to make such a reprehensible, senseless, and dangerous threat that only serves to spread fear throughout our schools and community. This criminal act also risks the safety of our entire community as emergency responders are pulled from their normal calls to provide emergency assistance. This is not a joke, the person(s) responsible for this call, and others like it, are nothing more than criminals with a complete and utter disregard for the safety of others or the terror and fear they spread.”
Michael Ringle was on the scene this morning for LC Valley News and spoke to Chief Hastings.
Following the all-clear, students and staff were allowed to go to lunch or leave for the day.
“Police have determined there is no threat. This was a hoax that went to several districts in our region. All schools have been released from lockdown and hold. If you wish to pick up your student and check them out, you are welcome to do so. Thank you for your understanding as we work through this difficult situation,” the Clarkston School District said on its Facebook page.
Statement from the Clarkston School District:
Dear Families and Community Members:
We want to inform our families and community about a recent trend called “swatting” hoaxes which have affected schools in our region and across the country. Swatting is the act of deceiving an emergency service into sending law enforcement or emergency response teams to a location through false reporting of a serious emergency, such as an active shooter or bomb threat.
We want to assure our families that our first priority is the safety of our students and staff. In the event of any reported threat at our schools, emergency services will respond and our schools will follow the established safety procedures while determining the credibility of the threat. Our goal is to communicate with you as quickly as possible with as much accurate information as we can. In situations like today, administrators were locked down by the directive of law enforcement and were unable to assess facts until the lockdown was lifted.
We ask that you talk with your children about how hoaxes like these can cause trauma to their peers and potentially prevent our community’s emergency personnel from responding to real emergencies. We continue to encourage our students and school community to report anything that could constitute a threat to school safety. We would also like to encourage you to please take this opportunity to ensure your contact information is up to date in Skyward Family Access.
Thank you,
Thaynan Knowlton
Superintendent
Photos courtesy of Michael Ringle.
Clarkston Police Chief Joel Hastings
