SPOKANE, Wash — Spokane Police were at multiple high schools Friday morning, responding to several “swatting calls.”
The threats were made at Lewis and Clark, Rogers, Ferris, and North Central High School.
Apparent hoax regarding an active shooter at Lewis and Clark High School about an hour ago. SPD on scene and has been through the entire school – no indication of a shooting. SPD remains at the school doing additional sweeps to ensure the situation is safe.
According to Spokane Police, the caller said there was an armed subject harming people at the school, and there were multiple casualties.
The Lewis and Clark, Rogers, and North Central were placed on lockdown, and officers swept the buildings, but found no victims.
Many schools across Montana also had similar threats. Three schools in Kennewick, Washington were also put on lockdown after reports of a weapon in a classroom.
Multicare Deaconess Medical Center was locked down as well, because of its proximity to Lewis and Clark High School. It has since been lifted.
A “swatting” is when someone calls police about a serious threat, police respond, but there is no actual threat. Swatting calls can be made from anywhere, even out of state or out of the country.
Spokane Public Schools Superintendent Adam Swinyard said he’s dealt with swattings in the past, and the response is always taken as seriously as possible.
Spokane Police have commenced a criminal investigation into the 911 caller.