KENNEWICK, Wash. – A claim by a Desert Hills Middle School student about having a firearm led to an investigation by the Kennewick Police Department (KPD) on Friday. Authorities reported that no firearm was found.
The incident began when another student involved in the conversation reported the firearm comment to school staff. A KPD School Resource Officer (SRO) responded quickly to the scene, joined by SROs from other schools.
The student who made the claim had already left the school on a bus. KPD officers, with help from Kennewick School District transportation, located the student near Reata Road. They found no firearm in the student’s backpack or locker.
Parents were contacted and cooperated with the investigation. Authorities confirmed the student did not have access to firearms. The incident was deemed the result of an off-hand comment with no real danger posed.
“This information is meant to dispel rumors, equip parents with facts and provide everyone the opportunity to have important conversations with their youth about what should and should not occur. Students should never be joking about firearms, shootings, or any other similar incidents. We commend the student who stepped up immediately and reported it. If you see or hear something, say something because your fellow students, school and community need and deserve that,” KPD stated.
