Rogers student held over alleged threats

A 16-year-old Rogers High School student is in juvenile detention for allegedly making threats to students and staff during an online chat with a friend Monday, during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

The student’s name has not been released by school, court or police officials.

The other student in the online chat told school officials about the threats Tuesday, on the first day back after the holiday, according to a Spokane Police Department news release.

The student who made the threats was called to the office Tuesday, questioned and eventually arrested on suspicion of felony harassment. He is being held in juvenile detention.

Spokane County juvenile prosecutor Bill Reeves said Judge Greg Sypolt on Wednesday cleared the way for charges to be filed if the juvenile prosecution office decides to pursue a case. The case is still under investigation, Reeves said. The student will likely go through a mental health evaluation before any charges are filed, Reeves said.

In a note sent home to parents Wednesday, Rogers Principal Carole Meyer called the student who came forward “courageous.”

“Once we were told of the threat, school officials immediately brought the student to the office and detained him until police arrived. Appropriate discipline has been administered. The police interviewed the student and the potential victims and are continuing to investigate,” Meyer said in the note.

“At no time was there any weapon on school grounds, nor were students or staff in any danger. Thanks to a brave student making a responsible choice, a possibly serious incident was prevented,” Meyer said. “Our school and district take any reports of threats very seriously and commend the student who was willing to report this incident. It takes all of us – parents, students and staff – working together to keep our schools safe.”

Meyer also mentioned a safety hotline for students or parents to make anonymous reports or safety concerns – (509) 354-SAFE.