³ÉÈËXÕ¾

MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Threats to Seattle schools led to ‘shelter in place’ orders

Sep 20, 2024, 12:44 PM | Updated: 6:16 pm

Photo: Several Seattle schools in either lockdown or 'shelter in place' Friday....

Several Seattle schools in either lockdown or 'shelter in place' Friday. (Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

More than a dozen public schools across the Seattle metropolitan area are under increased security after receiving threats on social media.

said it placed six schools on “shelter in place,” meaning students can move from class to class, but exterior doors are locked.

SPEEA union president: ‘We stand with the machinists,’ ‘We don’t do furloughs’

A district spokesperson said police are investigating the threats that came from an unidentified person. However, they wouldn’t comment on what the threats said specifically.

Other districts impacted include , which placed eight schools on modified lockdown, according to The Seattle Times. Ridge Elementary Arts Academy also got a threat.

Here is the letter SPS sent to families and staff:

Dear SPS Families,

Seattle Public Schools has been made aware of some information about a possible social media threat made toward multiple school districts across the state including our own. The list of SPS schools includes Dunlap Elementary, Rising Star Elementary, Wing Luke Elementary, Aki Kurose Middle School, Franklin High School, and Rainier Beach High School.

A post appeared on social media indicating a threat toward these schools. The post was reported by a family to SPS Safety and Security. Seattle Police (SPD) were called to investigate and are actively pursuing all tips.
Out of an abundance of caution, we will begin the school day with a shelter-in-place procedure at the schools mentioned in this threat. This means all educational programs continue as normal internally, but all external doors will be locked and monitored. This is not a lockdown. The school day will continue as usual, but entry/exit is limited to one door.

Please know we take safety in our buildings very seriously. The well-being of our students and staff is our top concern. We are actively working with SPD and SPS Safety & Security to ensure the situation is resolved.
We will have additional security at all six schools today.

We realize any talk of violence is cause for concern. If your student is experiencing feelings of anxiety about this, please reach out to our grade-level counselors for support.

We are committed to doing everything to keep our students safe. Thank you to the family who reported this concern to administrators. Please talk with your students about the importance of reporting any threats they hear or see immediately.

Please remember, we all play a role in school safety. You can use the SPS Safe Schools Hotline 206-252-0510 to report any threats to our schools. This phone number is managed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round.
We will keep families informed as we learn more information.

Sincerely,
Office of Public Affairs
Seattle Public Schools

The was also impacted. It sent a letter to families and staff:

Dear TSD Community,

We want to inform you that we have received a notification about a potential threat circulating on social media. We are currently investigating the situation in close collaboration with Tukwila PD and neighboring districts. At this time, it has been determined that there is no credible threat to our schools.

Please rest assured that we will continue to closely monitor the situation alongside Tukwila PD to ensure the safety of our students and staff. The safety of our school communities remain our top priority.

We will provide updates if any new information arises.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

Sincerely,

TSD Communications

Facing Fentanyl: Is King County’s fatal crisis finally dipping?

Contributing: Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest

Luke Duecy is a reporter for ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio.

MyNorthwest News

Credit: United States Attorney's office...

MyNorthwest Staff

Ghost gun used in Pioneer Square carjacking lands suspect 6 years

A Seattle man has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for an armed carjacking in Pioneer Square last summer, federal prosecutors announced Monday.

8 hours ago

ship canal bridge revive I-5...

Nate Connors

Revive I-5 reaches halfway point in Seattle

WSDOT's Revive I-5 project has reached the halfway point.

9 hours ago

primary...

Heather Bosch

The argument for voting in the primary

As of Monday morning, only 15.5% of registered King County voters had turned in their ballots for the Washington primary.

9 hours ago

Man arrested for shooting up his own West Seattle apartment (Photo: Seattle Police)...

MyNorthwest Staff

Man arrested for shooting up his own West Seattle apartment

A 36-year-old man was arrested Tuesday night after shooting up his apartment in West Seattle.

10 hours ago

capitol hill...

Julia Dallas

Capitol Hill restaurant closes unexpectedly

A restaurant is Capitol Hill has closed without warning.

10 hours ago

SPD Chief Shon Barnes seattle shooting...

Tom Brock

SPD Chief Barnes: 3 deadly shootings in 4 days in Seattle

Seattle Police detectives are investigating two murders in Seattle's Sodo district that apparently happened within a couple of hours of each other early Sunday morning.

10 hours ago

Threats to Seattle schools led to ‘shelter in place’ orders