Clark County sheriff’s deputies say a Hockinson High School student has been arrested for allegedly “making threats to bomb or injure property.”
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office said in a release that it was notified about the threats around 6 p.m. Monday.
A tactical unit worked alongside the Hockinson School District and the high school’s resource officer to investigate the threats and established reasonable grounds to arrest the student.
The student was booked in Clark County Juvenile Justice Center, deputies said.
School district Superintendent Sandra Yager sent out an email Tuesday morning informing parents of the threats and an increased police presence at the school.
Yager wrote that a student was heard making threats against the school, but didn’t specifically detail how.
“Students reported the situation to their families, who contacted authorities,” Yager said in the email.
She added the school was operating as usual, but without the arrest, classes would have been canceled for the day.
The 16-year-old suspect made an appearance in juvenile court Tuesday morning, records show. His bail was set at $100,000.
The teen was sitting in biology class when he allegedly said, “There are too many people in the world and someone has to do something,” and, “I’m going to shoot up the school,” according to a probable cause affidavit.
Two students in the classroom were alarmed by the statements, the affidavit says. One of them told police they feared for their life and the lives of fellow students.
In an interview with investigators, the accused teen admitted to making the threats, including directing those who heard not to speak with police. When asked why he made the threats, his only response was “it was random,” the affidavit says.
Officials encouraged the sentiment, “If you hear something, say something.”
