Deputies and Officers Respond to Report of Student with a Gun
Spokane Valley Deputies and Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies, with the assistance of Liberty Lake Police and Spokane Police Officers, responded to the report of a student at University High with a handgun. The 14-year-old student was safely taken into custody, and a loaded pistol was located in his open backpack.
Thankfully, this incident ended peacefully and without anyone being injured. This continues to be an active investigation, and at this time, it is not known what the student’s intentions were or why he brought the pistol to school.
On October 25, 2021, at approximately 1:30 p.m., University High School Staff received information that a student at school was in possession of what appeared to be a pistol.
The School Resource Deputy and University High School staff worked together to gain more information and determine the student's location while additional resources were requested.
Liberty Lake Police and Spokane Police Officers responded to the area to assist.
Believing the student suspect was not aware school staff or law enforcement had been informed about the weapon and not knowing the suspect’s intentions, it was determined alerting the suspect might cause him to escalate the situation rapidly. A small team of Deputies was assembled and simultaneously entered the classroom while the rest of the school was placed on lockdown. The team quickly isolated the suspect allowing them to evacuate the other students and staff in the room while addressing the suspect and any potential threat he posed. The suspect initially hesitated but soon after followed commands and was taken into custody without further incident.
At the same time, additional Officers/Deputies secured other areas of the school to ensure the safety of students and staff.
This remains an active investigation as Deputies and Detectives work to determine the suspect’s intentions and why he arrived at the school with a loaded handgun.
The 14-year-old suspect potentially faces several felony and misdemeanor charges as the investigation moves forward.
Sheriff Knezovich stated, “It is due to the great work of School Staff, the School Resource Deputy, Patrol Deputies and our law enforcement partners, today’s incident ended successfully and without incident.”