LONGVIEW — A young person has been arrested after an investigation into online threats to Longview schools, according to a Sunday message from the Longview School District.
The district reports classes will continue as normal this week, and on Monday Longview police and/or additional staff will be at the schools mentioned in the threats.
A Friday message to students’ guardians says threats were made to Mt. Solo Middle School and Cascade Middle School.
No identifying information about the arrested youth was given, such as age, grade or which school they attend.
The Friday message from the district to students’ guardians says authorities discovered a potential threat to Mt. Solo Middle School near Roy Morse Park on Thursday evening, then a similar threat to Cascade Middle School in Columbia Heights Friday morning.
Alisia Mahitka said she has two elementary school-aged children who attend Longview schools, and her best friend’s daughter attends Mt. Solo. Mahitka said she and her friend saw pictures of the threats, including a gun, on Snapchat.
The district reports staff have been working with Longview police since the threats were discovered Thursday evening. Friday’s message said law enforcement did not find the threats to either school credible.
However, Sunday’s public announcement from the district says one youth was arrested after an investigation.
The message also says the district was notified of threats circulating on social media last week and over the weekend. The district reports similar types of threats have been reported in the region, state and nation.
So far in 2024, Education Week reports there are have been 28 school shootings, in which someone was injured or killed.
“It’s just so scary for our kids in this community and all over the U.S. that are dealing with these threats,” said Mahitka. “I do believe social media plays a huge role when it comes to these threats.”
The district says counselors are available for students who need support, and asks guardians to remind students to alert someone they trust if they hear or see anything concerning.
“Whether credible or not, any threat is troubling and something we take very seriously,” said Longview Superintendent Karen Cloninger in the Sunday statement.
