Highline Confirms Another Violent Threat

Over the weekend, a student received anonymous threats of violence on social media. Mount Rainier HS on alert, but it turned out to be against Pacific MS. The suspect has been identified.

by Katie Kresly. On May 1st, we reported on two confirmed Highline School District anonymous threats that were aimed at Mount Rainier High School students: a bomb threat on the wall of the girls’ bathroom, and another anonymous threat via social media. Fortunately, they were found to be not credible.However, on Sunday, May 12, another anonymous social media threat was made public on the Des Moines Community Facebook Group. The threat was signed only as “your maker.” Screenshots were posted on the Facebook group to see if any other students had received similar threats. It was also reported by a concerned parent to the Des Moines Police Department.Last night, we reached out to Catherine Carbone Rogers, Highline’s Chief Communications Officer to alert her to the threat, which appeared to be related to Mount Rainier HS. As a precaution and advisory, Principal Kyle Linman sent this message to parents this morning:

Hello MRHS Families and Students,We have learned about social media posts claiming a threat against Mount Rainier High School today. We immediately notified our Safety & Security Department and the Des Moines Police Department who are investigating.

As a precaution, we will have additional Safety & Security staff on campus today. Please remind students about the importance of reporting any concerning behavior to an adult immediately and the seriousness of making threatening statements. Thank you to the students and families who reported this threat to us.

Student and staff safety is our top priority and we will always act immediately when a threat is made against our school. I recognize we have received a few social media threats against our schools over the last few weeks. If your student is concerned about these incidents and needs support, please contact one of our school counselors.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call the office at 206-631-7000 or email me at kyle.linman@highlineschools.org.

Thank you,Kyle LinmanPrincipalMount Rainier High School

Late this afternoon, I received notification from Ms. Carbone Rogers that they had “identified the individual who made the threat, which was meant for Pacific Middle School.” Not Mount Rainier. Here is the full email message:

Law enforcement has informed us that they identified the individual who made the threat, which was meant for Pacific Middle School. (It appears that the person who shared the screen shot you sent me erroneously assumed the target was MRHS.) Police found no weapons in their search of the individual’s home, but they have forwarded the case to the prosecutor’s office.

We have notified Mount Rainier and Pacific families of this update.

Catherine Carbone RogersChief Communications Officer

One Mount Rainier parent we spoke with confirmed that they kept their child home today. However, the Pacific parent we contacted was frustrated. They only heard about the Pacific Middle School threat at 12:15pm today, after the suspect had been identified.Here is the email to Pacific Middle School Families:

Hello Pacific Families and Students,

The Des Moines Police Department and our Safety & Security Department conducted an investigation following a report of a social media threat against Mount Rainier High School. Law enforcement determined the threat was against Pacific Middle School, not Mount Rainier High School.

The police identified the individual who made the threat, searched their home and found no weapons. Police have determined the threat was not credible. They are forwarding the case to the Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

Student and staff safety is our top priority. We take immediate action when a threat is reported to us.

This is a good reminder to always report any concern directly to law enforcement and our Safety & Security Department at 206-631-7600. Do not spread threats on social media.

Please remind your student about the importance of reporting any concerning behavior to an adult immediately and the seriousness of making threatening statements.

If your student is concerned about this social media threat and needs support, please contact one of our school counselors.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call the office at 206-631-5800 or email me at vanessa.banner@highlineschools.org.

Thank you,Vanessa Banner PrincipalPacific Middle School

vanessa.banner@highlineschools.org206-631-5800

Burien-News will publish further information as it becomes available.