LYNNWOOD, Wash. — The FBI is helping to investigate a threat that caused officials to close Meadowdale High School in Lynnwood on Friday.
According to Shannon Sessions with Lynnwood police, an Internet posting made late on Thursday night contained a specific threat regarding the school.
“The threat was posted on a blog and there were many people who called the police department to notify us,” said Sessions. “It’s out there, and people are finding out about it through social media,” said Sessions.
MukilteoBeacon.com reported that the blog post consisted of a photo of a gun and a threat that the poster would use it to "start firing until I am taken down, or until I run out of ammo." A screenshot of the full post is available at the link.
Police called the Edmonds School District, and officials there decided it was in the best interest of students and staff to close the school.
Meadowdale senior Samantha Freese said she heard her phone ring at 4:30 a.m., but she didn't answer. She found out later it was the district calling to say there no school on Friday for Meadowdale's 1,550 students.
Freese said she can’t think of anything that’s happened recently to spark such a threat.
“It’s rather surprising. I’m really curious as to what happened, because we’ve had two lockdowns this year, but none that canceled school for the day,” said Freese.
Police said it is not known if the threat is credible, but it’s under investigation by local police and the FBI.
Authorities and school officials won't go into details about the specific threat, but said the blog mentioned Friday and only students at Meadowdale High School.
The Edmonds School District said all school activities planned for the afternoon and evening are canceled but it's too early to make a decision about school on Monday.