Shorecrest Threats Deemed Not Credible, Classes Resume Thursday

SHORELINE, WA — Classes will resume for students at Shorecrest High School after rumors of a planned shooting closed the campus Wednesday. School officials said they received several tips Tuesday night about a rumored shooting to take place Friday. One tip claimed a weapon had been hidden in the woods, south of the school campus.

According to the school, the rumors suggested connections to an incident at Shorecrest Monday, when a 14-year-old student brought more than 200 rounds of ammunition to school, prompting two lockdowns. The King County Sheriff's Office said four other 14-year-old boys were determined to be involved, but investigators did not specify to what degree. After an extensive search of the school Monday, no weapons were found.

Dozens of students said they had heard about a weapon on campus and were interviewed by law enforcement and school administrators Wednesday. Sheriff's deputies and detection K9s again swept the campus, and searched wooded areas near the school, finding no evidence of weapons or ammunition. After the interviews and searches concluded, rumors of a planned shooting were determined to misinformation, according to the school.

In a message shared Wednesday night, Shorecrest officials said law enforcement determined there was no "credible or substantiated threat" to students or staff, and announced the school would operate normally Thursday, with an added police presence.

Shorecrest said counseling teams will be on-hand to support students.

The King County Sheriff's Office said no criminal charges have been filed against the students involved in Monday's incident with the ammunition, but the investigation is ongoing. School officials said they could not discuss the specifics of any disciplinary action, but promised to consider all options.

"In terms of school discipline, we are not permitted by law to share disciplinary action. What we can share is that no student will be permitted on the Shorecrest campus or to return to Shorecrest campus if there is any safety concern. We take a very deliberate set of actions in conjunction with law enforcement, including a complete threat assessment process, to help guide our decision-making. What has happened this week was a very serious matter that impacted our entire community. We are taking it extremely seriously and have taken advantage of all the legal, and school disciplinary, actions available to us."