Security strengthened at LC after more social media threats

Students and staff at Lewis and Clark High School will see more police Tuesday following a series of social media threats.

The FBI has joined the Spokane Police Department to investigate “another round of social media threats,” said Brian Coddington, director of community relations for Spokane Public Schools.

There was no school Monday because of a planned semester break, but families received an automated telephone message from LC principal Marybeth Smith about the threats and the plans for additional security.

Smith also reminded parents to tell students to report any suspicious activity.

“We share the frustration of families that there has been another attempt to cause concern in the LC community and disrupt the learning environment,” Coddington said.

The threats “came to the attention of police Sunday night,” Coddington said.

The incident is the third at LC in less than a year. In May, the school was half-full after a shooting threat was posted on social media.

In November, police investigated a threat posted against the school on Instagram.

The latest threats cap a difficult month at district high schools.

On Jan. 16, a Shadle Park High School student was arrested after he threatened to shoot up the school, Spokane police said. Police were sent to the building in response to a 911 call, which referenced an alleged social media threat.

On Thursday, three Ferris High School staff members were injured following a fight. No weapons were involved.

Two students were arrested for assault and a third for malicious mischief.