Editors note: Story was edited at 3:27 pm on 9/27/24 to reflect that the suspect is innocent until proven guilty.
BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A student was taken into custody after allegedly threatening to carry out a shooting at Shuksan Middle School.
Bellingham Police Lt. Claudia Murphy says BPD received multiple reports from concerned callers on the night of Thursday, Sept. 27, who had learned of the student’s alleged threat to “shoot up” the middle school on Friday.
After speaking to several adults and students, officers established probable cause to take the 12-year-old male student into custody. He was booked into Whatcom County Juvenile Detention on Thursday night on four counts of felony harassment, one for each student who was put in “reasonable fear” for their safety.
Lt. Murphy says officers did not find a weapon when they arrested the student, though their investigation is currently ongoing.
In a message to parents, Shuksan Middle School Principal Allison Chryst said, despite the student being placed in custody, the school did have extra staff on hand to make students feel safer.
Chryst credited the students who came forward on Thursday night after learning of the threat on social media.
Anyone with additional information about the incident is being asked to contact the school office, BPS’s safety tip line [844-310-9560, bellinghamschools.org/safe] or the Bellingham Police Department.
