MATTAWA — Reports of a possible threat against Wahluke High School, first rumored early Tuesday evening, were investigated Tuesday and Wednesday and determined to be unfounded. Rumors about the involvement of a specific WHS student were found to be untrue. 

Kyle Foreman, public information officer for the Grant County Sheriff's Office, said GCSO deputies investigated the rumors of the student's involvement. 

"The evidence and the investigation prove otherwise," Foreman said. "Through the investigation (the student) has been cleared."  

Wahluke School District Superintendent Andy Harlow said the first reports reached school officials between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. and involved a rumor of a threatened shooting apparently written on a tile in a WSD bathroom.  

"We had some loose information and we had a picture of a note left in the boys’ bathroom," Harlow said.  

The investigation determined the information passed through multiple students and parents before being reported to school authorities, who notified GCSO. Harlow expressed appreciation to Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete for his response.  

"I called Joey and he was awesome," Harlow said. 

Investigators found the location but didn't find any threat. 

"None of us actually saw it. It was gone. We don't even know how long it was there," Harlow said.  

Investigators traced the photo of the tile and determined it was circulated on social media. The speculation about the possible shooter surfaced also. 

"A name was given of who wrote it," Harlow said.  

The investigation determined the student rumored to be the source of the threat was not near that bathroom at any time Tuesday, he said.  

Another WHS student was determined to be the source of the speculation of the student.  

"He said, 'This is the shooter,'" Harlow said. 

That student has been disciplined, he said, because allegations were made without any proof.  

The rumors prompted an increased police presence on the WHS campus Wednesday morning, Harlow said, both by GCSO deputies and Mattawa Police Department officers. Six deputies and two MPD officers were outside school on Wednesday morning, Harlow said, and law enforcement was on campus throughout the day. 

Foreman said the best way to respond to a rumored threat is to report it immediately. 

"We always encourage people, no matter how old you are, if you think something suspicious is happening or you suspect a threat, bring it the attention of the authorities," Foreman said. "Bring it to the attention of a teacher, or an administrator, an SRO or a janitor, or anyone you feel comfortable bringing it to."