A Kulshan Middle School student was arrested Wednesday night in Bellingham after allegedly making an online threat regarding a school shooting.
Megan Peters, a spokesperson for Bellingham Police Department, said BPD received a tip around 6:46 p.m. that a person had made a threatening post on social media against the school. Police then contacted the Bellingham Public Schools safety team.
In coordination with Bellingham Public Schools, staff was able to identify the suspect as a middle school boy, Peters said. The FBI also assisted with the investigation.
The suspect was arrested around 9:55 p.m. and booked into the Whatcom County Juvenile Detention Center.
Kulshan had extra staff at school on Thursday to ensure students and staff felt safe, according to BPS.
“Student safety is important to us, and we appreciate law enforcement for their quick action and partnership,” said Kevin Terpstra, the Kulshan principal.
BPD is requesting anyone who saw the threatening message on social media Wednesday or knows of any other violent threats on social media targeting an individual or school to contact them. You can call 360-676-6911 or online at www.cob.org/tips.
The threat comes three days after a school shooting in Wisconsin that killed a 14-year-old student and a teacher. The shooter was also killed. Six others were hurt in the incident.
This year, more than 31,000 students at K-12 schools across 21 states have been impacted by shootings during school hours, according to a Washington Post analysis. Thirteen people have died and 50 have been injured in that timeframe.
Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.
