“Tip” of Possible Criminal Activity at CVHS Investigated – School Administration Places School in “Lockout” as Precaution
As a precaution, Central Valley High School was placed on “Lockout” while Spokane Valley School Resource Deputies worked to investigate a “tip” of a student who was reported to be in possession of a weapon but had left campus. School Staff quickly confirmed the student exited the school, via video recordings. Deputies located the student and the weapon at a residence in Spokane Valley.
On January 9, 2019, at approximately 10:20 a.m., Central Valley High School Administrators and the Spokane Valley Resource Deputy assigned to the high school received a “tip” a student who had just left the school was in possession of a pistol. The student reportedly brought the weapon to school with the intention of trading it later to another student off campus for marijuana.
Knowing the student had left the school, Central Valley High School was placed on “Lockout” as a precaution to ensure the safety of students and staff while this incident was investigated.
Approximately 15 minutes later, additional School Resource Deputies, assisted by Spokane Valley
Deputies located the juvenile suspect and several other juveniles at a residence in the 400 block of N. Sommer. The juvenile was arrested and a pistol was recovered.
A second student reported to be involved in the “trade”, later identified as 18-year-old Kenski Biten, was quickly detained at the school.
A third juvenile, also contacted at the residence, was arrested for an unrelated warrant and booked into the Spokane County Juvenile Detention Center.
Assisting Spokane Valley Investigative Unit Detectives learned the pistol had been stolen during a vehicle prowling last August.
Biten, a felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm, was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Dangerous Weapon on School Facilities and Unlawful Possession of a Pistol (18 to 21 years of age).
The involved juvenile, also a felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm, was transported and booked into the Spokane County Juvenile Detention Center for Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Dangerous Weapon on School Facilities and Unlawful Possession of a Pistol (18 to 21 years of age).
Thank you to person(s) for promptly reporting this information, allowing Central Valley High School Officials and School Resource Deputy to act swiftly to ensure the safety of student and staff.
Please remember, “See It, Say It”! Report potential threats or criminal activity.
“Lockout”- Students are brought inside and buildings are secured restricting movements outside while normal school operations continue inside.
“Lockdown” – Students and staff implement additional safety protocols, individual rooms are secured and movements inside/outside the school are greatly restricted.
Deputy Mark Gregory
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office
Spokane Valley Police Department
Public Information Officer