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Threat probe isn't over at LCHS

Brian Walker; Staff Writer | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 years, 1 month AGO
by Brian Walker; Staff Writer
| October 20, 2017 1:00 AM

COEUR d'ALENE — The investigation involving a Lake City High student who was threatened on social media on Oct. 8 continues and heightened safety measures at the school remain in effect a week after two male classmates were identified as suspects for similar crimes.

"The person involved in the Oct. 8 threat has not yet been identified," LCHS Principal Deanne Clifford said in a written statement on Thursday.

A $1,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the identity of the person in that case.

"We have interviewed a significant number of people and are working with the social media apps to get more information," Coeur d'Alene police Detective Jared Reneau said.

The threats were reportedly made on SnapChat against the high school and a Lake City cheerleader.

Meanwhile, safety restrictions such as closed campus for lunch and no cellphone use at school are continuing through this week.

The school will continue the enhanced security measures next week with some adjustments, Clifford said.

"Juniors and seniors will again be allowed to leave campus for lunch starting Monday," she said.

The school policy states that campus is closed at lunch for freshmen and sophomores.

"The school doors will remain locked at all times, including during lunch," Clifford said. "Juniors and seniors who leave for lunch must show their student ID to re-enter the building."

Any student who leaves the building for work, dual credit class or other reasons must continue to check out in the office prior to departure.

Cellphones must be out of sight from the time the student arrives at school until the final bell of the school day at 2:30 p.m.

"The purpose of this measure is to reduce the spread of dangerous social media rumors and alleviate fears," Clifford said.

Two boys were identified as suspects on Oct. 12 in other cases using social media applications to send messages threatening Lake City High students. One of the students was arrested and faces four misdemeanor counts of using the telephone to terrify, threaten or harass.

School officials said they couldn't reveal details about any disciplinary actions taken or pursued against the students because that is considered part of their confidential education records. The students will have closed hearings before the school board, which then will determine what level of discipline the students receive.

Final action has not been taken. A school can take temporary action pending the school board hearing and final determination.

The messages began appearing Oct. 6, when a photo of a student with a weapon was posted on social media with a derogatory message about Lake City High cheerleaders. The message prompted the school district to escort the cheerleaders from a game in Post Falls back to the school and send them home with their parents.

Another report came in Oct. 11 that a person posted an online threat toward Lake City High School in a group chat with about 250 users who appear to be students. Then, on Oct. 12, a student reported to police that a photo was posted on social media of a Lake City student holding a rifle with a caption referencing a "threat list."

Detectives determined those messages were from the same suspect.

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