Student Expelled For Having Shotgun At West Valley

For the second time in a week, a West Valley High School student has been expelled for having a gun on campus.

A 17-year-old West Valley student allegedly threatened a Spokane Valley High School student, also 17, with a sawed-off shotgun in the West Valley parking lot Thursday morning.

A former West Valley student, also 17, was dropping off a student in the parking lot about 7:20 a.m., West Valley Principal Cleve Penberthy said Monday. A group of Spokane Valley students was outside waiting for a bus.

“There was some staring back and forth” between the students, Penberthy said. “One (Spokane Valley student) perceived a glance to be a challenge and came to the car. Words were exchanged.”

The West Valley student in the car - a junior - brandished a shotgun, Penberthy said, “not necessarily pointing it at anyone.”

School officials aren’t sure whether the weapon was loaded. “There were shells around the scene,” Penberthy said.

The student who was threatened punched the student with the gun through an open car door window. He then got on the bus that left for Spokane Valley, an alternative high school.

“The West Valley student left the shotgun in the vehicle and the other person drove away,” said sheriff’s Lt. David Wiyrick.

Deputies later recovered the weapon at a residence, Wiyrick said.

The confrontation occurred two days after another West Valley gun incident.

A West Valley freshman was expelled for bringing a .22-caliber handgun to school last Tuesday. He likely will face criminal charges, Penberthy said.

He reportedly was trying to sell the gun.

Deputies are investigating whether the two incidents are related.

Both students likely will face charges of possession of a gun in a gun-free zone, Penberthy said.

“My sense is we want to go and make the strongest statement possible,” he said.

Penberthy said the altercation had nothing to do with any school rivalry or gangs.

The Spokane Valley student has not been disciplined for punching the other student, said Doug Grace, Spokane Valley’s principal.