Coeur d'Alene student suspended after threatening to 'shoot up the school'

COEUR d’ALENE — For the second time this month, a Lakes Middle School student has been suspended for allegedly threatening to “shoot up the school,” according to the Coeur d’Alene Police Department.

In an email to families obtained by The Press, Lakes administrators said multiple students heard a “concerning comment” from a seventh-grader Monday and reported the information to the school resource officer near the end of the school day. 

“This initiated an immediate investigation by the Lakes administrative team and the Coeur d’Alene Police Department,” administrators said in the letter. “Police and school administrators made contact with the student and the family. After speaking with the student, the Coeur d’Alene Police Department and Lakes administrators each took appropriate action to ensure the safety of our students and staff at Lakes.” 

Capt. Dave Hagar said Tuesday that police confirmed the student does not have access to firearms and don’t believe the students or staff at Lakes Middle School are in danger. He said the student was suspended as a result of the comments.

“We were immediately able to determine there was no threat to the school, and we’re working with the school district for the rest of their processes,” he said. 

A different Lakes Middle School student was suspended Sept. 3 after making remarks about “shooting up the school,” according to the Coeur d’Alene School District. Police determined the student doesn’t have access to firearms and doesn’t pose a threat to anyone. 

Hagar said police take threats of school violence seriously and students who make such comments can face serious consequences. 

“We’re going to treat it like it’s a legitimate threat until we know otherwise,” he said. “Even making threatening statements could lead to being charged with a crime. We’ve seen students be suspended. It’s not something to be said in jest.” 

Administrators urged families to speak with students about the consequences of threatening school violence.

“Every threat, comment or social media post referencing school violence is taken seriously and will impact the future education of the student who makes or shares a threat,” the letter to families said in part. “Student responses such as ‘I was just making a joke’ or ‘I was only kidding’ are not acceptable. We will take immediate action against any student who makes a threat, regardless of the circumstances, in order to ensure the well-being and safety of everyone at school.” 

Hagar said police also investigate social media posts containing violent threats. He encouraged community members to report such posts to law enforcement, rather than share or repost the content online.