UPDATE: Suspects in Social Media Threats Identified

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Suspects in Social Media Threats Identified – No Imminent Danger to Students or Staff

Investigators have identified the suspects involved in the social media threats aimed at three local high schools which caused fear in our community and the diversion of a large amount of law enforcement resources.

Investigators determined the East Valley High School and West Valley High School threats were connected and several juveniles were involved.

The suspect in the Mead High School threats has also been identified and Detectives believe this incident is not connected to the other threats.

Due to this combined effort of Detectives, School Officials, School Resource and Patrol Deputies, these suspects were identified and although their actions caused an enormous amount of fear to spread throughout our community, there was no imminent danger to students and staff related to these criminal threats.

Both investigations are active as Detectives continue to conduct interviews. Although no arrests have been made at this time, the investigations will be forwarded to the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office at their conclusion and felony charges are expected.

We understand these threats caused a lot of fear to students, staff, and our community, and we would like to thank everyone for the patience and support during the investigations. Our Detectives and Deputies worked closely with East Valley, West Valley and Mead School District Officials to keep student and staff safe which is the priority for all of us.

As a reminder, please talk to your children about the use of social media and the need to immediately report threats without forwarding them to their friends which only spreads fear and disinformation, while hindering the investigation.

PREVIOUS RELEASES

Social Media Threats Investigation Continues

 

Spokane Valley and Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies, with the assistance of Major Crimes Detectives, continue to investigate the social media threat mentioning East Valley High School as well as additional posts being circulated via social media referencing Mead High School and West Valley High School.  School Resource Deputies are working with School District Officials to assist. 

These posts are being circulated rapidly before being reported to law enforcement or school officials, which is increasing fear among students, parents, and staff, while hampering investigative efforts.

Please do not spread these social media posts, report them immediately.

Since receiving the East Valley High School threats posted through Snapchat last night, additional posts have been reported referencing West Valley High School and Mead High School.  The school districts have been made aware of this information and are diligently working with our School Resource Deputies to ensure the safety of students and staff.

At this time, the accounts used appear to be fake/fraudulent but Detectives are working to identify the person(s) who seem to have a goal of spreading fear and concern in our community.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation or can help identify the suspect(s) is urged to call Crime Check at 509-456-2233, contact a School Resource Deputy or School Official immediately.

Students who continue to spread these posts along with added comments perpetuating and stoking fear are NOT helping the situation and hindering the investigation.  Please report these posts as requested.

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Spokane Valley Deputies Investigating Social Media Threat

Spokane Valley Deputies, East Valley High School Resource Deputy McQuitty and East Valley School District Officials continue to work together to investigate a Snapchat threat posted last night. 

Additional Deputies will be at the high school and patrolling the area as an added precaution.

On December 3, 2018, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Spokane Valley Deputies began investigating the report of an internet threat toward East Valley High School posted on Snapchat.  Deputies notified the East Valley High School Resource Deputy and East Valley School District Officials.

Throughout the evening, Deputies worked to identify the person responsible for this threat and to determine the validity of the Snapchat account.

We want to ensure parents the priority of the East Valley School District, Spokane Valley Police and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office is the safety of the students and staff.  We will continue to investigate this and any other threat vigorously and hold the person(s) accountable for their actions.

Please, if anyone has information regarding this incident, you are urged to contact EVHS Resource Deputy McQuitty, East Valley High School Officials or Crime Check at 509-456-2233.

Unfortunately, these threats continue to happen at schools here and across the Nation.  We ask parents to talk to their school aged children about the use of social media and the consequences of their actions.  We also ask if a threat is observed on social media that it is reported immediately, not merely forwarded or spread around the internet.

See It – Say It

Deputy Mark Gregory

Spokane County Sheriff’s Office

Spokane Valley Police Department
Public Information Officer
509-477-3287     Office

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