Ethnic tensions may have sparked firing of pellet gun near Everett High School

Published 1:52 pm Wednesday, February 10, 2010

EVERETT — Two north Everett teenagers were arrested this morning after they allegedly fired a pellet gun near Everett High School, damaging a car window and forcing several area schools into a security lockdown.

No one was hurt, Everett police Sgt. Robert Goetz said.

Police are trying to find out if the shooting was part of growing tensions among ethnic groups at Everett High School, Goetz said.

Police have noticed growing problems between students whose families come from the Middle East, and those with ties to Eastern Europe, he said.

“We’re trying to determine whether or not this is what sparked this whole incident,” he said.

Around 9 a.m., high school students reported seeing a car drive by with two men. A weapon was displayed. Adults were notified and the school’s resident police officer put students in lockdown.

A shot was heard and a car parked near 25th Street and Hoyt Avenue had a window damaged, Goetz said.

Officers quickly found the suspects, ages 17 and 19, who were arrested without incident.

Everett High School and North Middle School were placed in lockdown around 9:30 a.m., said Mary Waggoner, a school district spokeswoman.

“The kids who saw it did the right thing by reporting it to the (school) administration,” Waggoner said.