UPDATE, 10:18 a.m.:
Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office press release:
On April 4, 2018, at about 8:30 a.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a call for service at Winship Middle School regarding a threat made over social media towards students.
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, Eureka Police Department and Eureka City Schools are investigating this threat. Preliminary information indicates that there is no imminent threat to the school. Sheriff’s Deputies and Eureka Police Officers will remain on scene as the investigation continues and will be conducting extra patrols in the area of Eureka City Schools.
While this investigation continues, Winship Middle School remains on a modified lockdown. All other school sites within the Eureka City Schools District have been placed on heightened alert.
Anyone with information regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.
###
UPDATE, 10:15 a.m.:
Eureka Police Department:
Eureka Police Department just received the following information from Eureka City Schools regarding a possible threat made at Winship Middle School:
This morning Staff at Winship Middle School received a phone call alerting them about a social media post threatening a shooting on the Winship campus today.
All students are safe. Precautionary measures have been put in place and the Winship Campus is on a modified lock down. Eureka City Schools is working cooperatively with Eureka Police Department and the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office to determine the validity of the threat.
Preliminary information indicates the threat is not accurate. All school sites within Eureka City Schools have been notified to be on heightened alert and law enforcement is conducting extra patrols in the areas of our schools. As information develops, we will keep you posted.
###
Law enforcement officers from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and the Eureka Police Department are stationed at Winship Middle School this morning, as class remains open and kids are going about their day.
A parent at the school tells the Outpost that she received a robocall from the school this morning saying that administrators had become aware of a threat made or reported on Snapchat.
Samantha Karges, spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office, confirmed this morning that deputies are at the scene and investigating, but that she could not provide any additional information at this time.
Lots of parents are showing up to pick up their kids, according Outpost reporters at the campus, but classes appear to be going forward. Law enforcement personnel are patrolling the campus.
We’ll update when we know more.