Okanogan HS student jailed after threats

OKANOGAN – A 15-year-old boy was arrested Wednesday at Okanogan High School after reportedly threatening to shoot fellow students.

Sheriff Frank Rogers said the boy allegedly made the threats last week and students reported him to school officials on Wednesday.

“He went to one girl and said you’re gonna be the first one,” Rogers said.

The boy didn’t have a weapon, but could likely get one, Rogers said.

“Bottom line is the sheriff’s office will not tolerate threats of any kind,” Rogers said. “When it comes to schools, we are telling people that if you hear a threat against students or the school, call law enforcement and report it. No threat is too small.”

The boy is being held at Okanogan County Juvenile Facility on $25,000 bail with conditions that he have a court hearing before being released.

The Okanogan threat is at least the second threat against a North Central Washington since Jan. 14, when a shooter opened fire on students and faculty at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, killing 17.

On Feb. 22, Wenatchee High School officials reported a threatening messages written on multiple boys bathroom walls stating, “Don’t come to school March 2.”

The school increased security, though Wenatchee Police didn’t believe the threats to be credible, according to a Feb. 22 letter from Principal Eric Anderson to parents.