Updated Friday at 10 a.m.:
At a press conference this morning, Bothell Police Department spokesperson Ken Seuberlich said the 63-year-old teacher was found by another teacher as he was lying outside of the Bothell High School shop class with a zip tie around his neck and a head injury.
The shop teacher, police said, had been hit in the back of the head with a blunt object and had a zip tie placed around his neck before making his way outside of the shop and collapsing.
Another staff member saw the teacher and came to his aid, cutting off the zip tie and calling 911.
Seuberlich said police are continuing to analyze security footage from the school to identify a suspect.
Bothell High School remained closed to students today as authorities continue to investigate the assault.
Bothell police shut down access to Bothell High School on Thursday evening after a teacher was assaulted on campus just after 4:15 p.m. The lockdown was lifted just after 7 p.m., but the school will remain closed on Friday to students and classes have been canceled, according to the Northshore School District.
The victim, a 63-year-old man who was located near the auto shop classroom, was taken to Harborview Medical Center and is listed in serious but non-life threatening condition, according to Bothell Police Department Sgt. Cedric Collins. The victim had blood on his head and was spotted by another staff member who called police.
“She called us and when officers arrive … they saw the victim down on the ground. We called Bothell Fire and they treated him at the scene and then transported him to Harborview Medical Center,” Collins said. “… He didn’t provide any description or anything of the suspect. I don’t think he even saw anything or knows what happened.”
Police searched the area around the school, with the use of a K9, but were unable to locate the person of interest. It is unclear whether the suspect was a student or someone from off campus. Police are also looking over surveillance footage at the school.
The incident occurred as some students were still on campus for various after-school activities, but authorities said the the assault happened away from bystanders. Social media lit up with comments from concerned parents and neighbors about the police activity at the high school.
“Staff and students who were on campus did an excellent job following safety protocols during the incident,” according to a message sent out Friday evening from district representatives to BHS parents. “This is an active police investigation, and as a result, Bothell High School is closed tomorrow, Friday, May 20. Also, because this is an active investigation, we ask that all students remain off campus tomorrow. Thank you.”
The lockdown also included a church and some other areas around the high school, but they have since been released.
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