FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — For the second time in two days, students at Federal Way’s Todd Beamer High School were released early due to a bomb threat.
On Wednesday, students and staff were evacuated and students were dismissed early after a bomb threat was received via email and a suspicious item was found.
The Federal Way Schools website said school officials were acting out of an abundance of caution Wednesday.
On Thursday, another emailed bomb threat was received at 12:30 p.m. that was later deemed to be a hoax.
After a thorough search of the school, Federal Way police and school district security requested a special unit to check on a suspicious item. The district did not disclose what the item was.
Students were evacuated and had been outside for an hour when it was decided they would be dismissed at 1:30 p.m. Regular dismissal time is at 2:05 p.m.
A bomb squad responded and conducted a search. By 2 p.m., the building had been cleared and students were allowed to pick up their belongings. The school will be open until 5 p.m. so parents and students who left may return to collect items if desired.
Security and police said they have a good idea of who might have sent Thursday's email, but said the two threats were not connected.