UPDATE: This article has been updated with a message from Enumclacw School District Dr. Shaun Carey and Enumclaw Police Chief Tim Floyd. Additionally, the story has been corrected to show 911 calls were being made to the EPD on Feb. 13 around 11:30 p.m.
Enumclaw High School closed and Thunder Mountain and Enumclaw middle schools went into modified lockdowns due to dual shooting/bombing threats made Feb. 13.
The EHS threat was made on Instagram by user “ehsvdayshooting”.
“On Monday February 14th there will be a Valentine’s day shooting/bombing at EHS,” the post reads. “3 freshman are going full on armed with guns to shoot up the school at 10:20 am… 2 sophomores will be taking highly dangerous bombs to set off at 10:30 am… Come to school at your own risk… HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY B*****S”.
This threat caused EHS to close, and a letter was sent to parents at 5:30 a.m.
“District administration, in consultation with law enforcement and out of an abundance of caution, has decided to close Enumclaw High School on Monday, February 14, 2022,” the letter reads. “All other PK-8 schools will operate as scheduled, if for any reason you or your student(s) do not feel comfortable attending today please contact your building to excuse the absence.
“We take all threats seriously. Any student(s) responsible will be prosecuted to the fullest extent,” the letter continues. “The administration is encouraging any person who has information concerning this threat to step forward. Names will be kept confidential.”
A similar threat was made around 7:15 a.m. on the same day to Enumclaw Middle School, also via Instagram.
It was announced half an hour later in another letter to parents that EMS and Thunder Mountain Middle School would open with a modified lockdown in place.
“During a modified lockdown no one is allowed entry or exit from the building,” the letter reads. “Additional information will be shared when known. We understand this information is concerning for our parents, however, the safety of the student is the priority at this time.”
It was also announced pre-K through 5th grade would operate as scheduled.
The district, as of yet, is not aware of the identities of the person/people who made these threats. As of 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 14, no violence at any school building was reported.
King County Council member Reagan Dunn, who represents Enumclaw and other south King County cities, has asked the Sheriff’s Office to aid local law enforcement.
“While the school district and local officials appear to have taken quick and appropriate action in response, I would ask that your office provide support, as appropriate, to assist the local jurisdiction on any further response or investigation. While Enumclaw High School sits within the city limits, the Enumclaw School District draws from the surrounding unincorporated community, and we should act on any request for assistance from the city or school district,” Dunn wrote to Sheriff Cole-Tindell in a Feb. 14 email. “Any assistance the King County Sheriff’s Office could provide would be appreciated. The threat of gun violence against our youth is an unacceptable traumatization of the community that requires us to stand together in mutual support.”
Superintendent Dr. Shaun Carey sent another message to parents at 4 p.m., thanking parents and students for cooperating with school officials and law enforcement.
“The investigation is still ongoing and local law enforcement is currently working to identify the person(s) responsible,” he wrote. “At this time, we feel confident that our buildings are safe for students to return to. We will resume our normal school schedule tomorrow for all PK-12 buildings.”
Carey added that high school students only will have to attend school on March 25 to make up for the missed day.
Enumclaw Police Chief Tim Floyd, in a press release, urged anyone with information about the threats to call the EPD hotline at 360-825-3505.
