UPDATE: October 1 at 10:05 p.m.
Kennewick Police Department (KPD) addressed a wave of threats circulating among the student body at Kamiakin High School. However, these threats were deemed not credible.
KPD received numerous calls and questions from concerned individuals after students posted messages advising friends not to attend school.
KPD, along with Kamiakin staff and security, investigated each report.
Investigations revealed that all reports originated from a single rumor with no specific or credible threat to the high school or any other Kennewick school.
Despite the lack of credible threats, police continue to encourage everyone to report any threats or rumors of threats as a precaution.
KENNEWICK, Wash. – A ninth grade Kamiakin High School student faces serious charges including attempted murder following an investigation into a potential shooting plot against the school.
According to court documents, the Kennewick Police Department (KPD) received a tip from the FBI on Sept. 20 at 1:23 a.m. regarding a TikTok post originating from Florida.
The post included a map of Kamiakin High School with certain rooms marked as targets. The FBI identified the person responsible for the post as a 14-year-old boy from the Badger Canyon area, court documents said.
Investigators said the teen had previously been on law enforcement’s radar for threatening his online girlfriend with a gun and making concerning statements. He also operated a social media account named after a school shooter, court documents said.
During a search warrant executed at 7:47 p.m. on Sept. 20, police said they found 24 firearms in safes, maps of the school, documents with shooting references and a drawing of shooting scenarios.
A handgun was reported missing from his grandfather’s safe on Sept. 23. An alleged 14-year-old accomplice denied knowledge of the missing gun, according to court documents.
However, a tip led investigators to a gun that they believe was discarded by the accomplice near Dick’s Sporting Goods on Quinault Ave, confirmed to be the missing firearm.
Charges include attempted first-degree murder premeditated with a special allegation of firearms, bomb threat with intent to alarm and 2nd degree unlawful firearm possession under 18 years of age. His bail is set at $1 million.
Charged against the alleged accomplice include second-degree unlawful firearm possession, tampering with physical evidence and making a false statement to a public servant.
NonStop Local is not naming the suspects as they’re being charged as juvenile offenders.
ORIGINAL COVERAGE: September 30 at 3:25 p.m.
