Assault charge pursued in school incident

by BRIAN WALKER/Staff writer
| October 28, 2015 9:00 PM

TWIN LAKES — A Twin Lakes Elementary student allegedly threatened the principal and a staff member with a stake on Tuesday morning, prompting a pending assault charge and law enforcement action.

"(The charge) is not something that I wanted to pursue — nor is it something I've ever done before — but I did feel that the item was used in a threatening manner," Twin Lakes Principal Patty Morrison said.

"We're trying to keep the best interests of staff, students and this student in mind."

Morrison declined to comment on details about the alleged threat on the playground. She said the stake was pointed and metal at the end.

There were no injuries. The only people on the playground during the alleged incident were Morrison — a special education consultant who was at the school on Tuesday working with the student — and the student himself.

Kootenai County Sheriff's Office Lt. Stu Miller said the 10-year-old student with special needs was turned over to his mother.

Morrison said she does not know why the student was upset.

The school went into "lock out" mode due to the outside threat and classes proceeded as usual.

"The youngster brought enough of a concern that the principal and (consultant) wanted help (from law enforcement)," Lakeland Joint School District Superintendent Brad Murray said. "They spent time to calm the student down, but the situation escalated and the student left the building. He approached them in a manner that was threatening."

When the KCSO and Spirit Lake Police were responding, the student was reported to be climbing a fence and fleeing the school property. A Spirit Lake officer found the student in the woods near the school, Miller said.

The student had two stakes in his possession when he was approached, but he was detained without further incident, Miller said.

Miller and Murray said the student has attempted to flee the school at 5326 W. Rice Road multiple times.

A letter was sent home on Tuesday with the students explaining the alleged incident and the lockout.