Fake explosive spurs school lockdown

A fake grenade that a 14-year-old freshman brought to West Valley High School on Friday prompted a lockdown and heavy police response.

The boy, whom police have not identified, purchased the inert grenade as well as a gas mask and helmet at a military surplus store and brought all three items to school in a canvas bag, said Sgt. Dave Reagan, of the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

About 12:30 p.m., the boy pulled the gas mask out of the bag during a class and the fake grenade fell out. A teacher took the prop to the vice principal’s office, which was promptly evacuated along with nearby classrooms, Reagan said. The rest of the school was locked down while police rushed to the scene, he said.

Deputies recognized the grenade was not real, Reagan said. It had a blue handle, a color that is used to designate inert grenades, and the bottom had been drilled out, said Reagan.

No charges have been filed. The student never made a threat and didn’t break the law, said Reagan.

But the student was expelled on an emergency basis, said school district spokeswoman Sue Shields, and whether he will be able to return had yet to be determined.

Spokane

Parolee found dead after standoff

Spokane police and a SWAT team, who tried to coax a parolee out of his apartment on Thursday evening, found the man dead after several hours of talking with him.

The cause of his death was unknown, and major crimes detectives continued to investigate, Officer Jennifer DeRuwe said Friday.

William Leverette, 48, refused to cooperate when officers tried to arrest him at his apartment in the 5000 block of East Trent Avenue about 5:40 p.m., according to police.

Police pumped tear gas into the home, but Leverette didn’t come out. When SWAT members forced their way into the home, they found Leverette’s body, according to a news release.

Spokane police were responding to a request for assistance from community corrections officers who were called by Leverette’s landlord. The landlord said his tenant had barricaded himself in the apartment and was shouting and being disruptive, according to a Department of Corrections spokeswoman.

Community corrections officers could not coax Leverette out of the apartment and called police.

Leverette was serving nine to 12 months of community supervision after being released in April from the Washington State Penitentiary at Walla Walla, where he had served time on a 2004 sentence for possessing and manufacturing methamphetamine, according to DOC spokeswoman Maria Peterson.

In 1995, he was convicted of second-degree child rape. Earlier that year he’d pleaded guilty to obstructing a public servant and third-degree malicious mischief, according to newspaper records.

Rathdrum

Governor, officials to meet with residents

Idaho Gov. Butch Otter has named Rathdrum the state’s “Capital for a Day” on Dec. 17, when he, first lady Lori Otter and numerous state officials, legislators and state and local leaders will meet with residents and hear their concerns.

The event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 13541 W. Highway 53 in Rathdrum, and will include a no-host luncheon.

“Rathdrum is representative of a number of Idaho towns that are caught between their rural roots and the growing demands of urbanization,” Otter said. “I look forward to hearing from local folks about their needs and aspirations, and what state government can do to help them get where they want to go.”

Last month, he brought his “Capitol for a Day” program to St. Maries.