Snoqualmie police recently arrested an expelled student on charges of felony harassment for threats to public safety after he allegedly posted threatening images to Snapchat.
Several Mount Si High School students reported the 15-year-old boy had been sharing “disturbing” images and videos, including a picture of himself with a handgun and multiple threatening statements. The recently-expelled former suspect had attended Two Rivers High School in North Bend and was a known acquaintance of the reporting students.
Police said they believe the student acted alone and there is no current threat or concern for student safety relating to the incident. Two Rivers expelled the student for a previous drug-related arrest.
“The district is grateful to the students who did the right thing — to report this threat,” the Snoqualmie Valley School District wrote in a statement. “This was a very real example of the importance and power of ‘See something, say something.’”
After the reporting students saw the threatening images and videos on Snapchat, a picture- and video-based social media app, they notified a principal and the district’s school resource officer.
Snoqualmie Police Department detectives then searched North Bend for the suspect and found him, unarmed, just outside Snoqualmie. They arrested him without incident and he is now booked in the King County Juvenile Detention Center for investigation of the felony charges.
“We are especially grateful, too, for the support, partnership and good work of the Snoqualmie Police Department today for working to ensure the safety of our schools,” the district noted. “Please know that the safety and well-being of all Snoqualmie Valley students, staff, families and community will always be a top priority for our district.”
The district asks students to call 911 or notify a school official if they see anything concerning, and it provided a tipline at snoqualmie-wa.safeschoolsalert.com for district students to call, text, submit or email a report.
“Whether there is a threat to a school, to others, or to one’s self — please treat all threats seriously,” the district wrote. “Report what you hear or see as soon as you learn of a concern, with as much details as possible, so schools and law enforcement can work quickly to verify facts and expedite an investigation.”
As of the Reporter’s Monday deadline, the suspect had not been formally charged.
If anyone has more information related to the incident, they can contact Snoqualmie Detective Jason Weis at 425-888-3333.