By Leslie Moriarty
Herald Writer
SNOHOMISH — A 14-year-old student at Snohomish High School’s freshman campus has been expelled for creating a "hit list."
Snohomish Public Schools spokeswoman J. Marie Merrifield confirmed Wednesday that the student was expelled for the school year and is not allowed on public school property.
The student’s name was not released by school or police officials. He has been evaluated by mental health professionals and has appeared before a judge, who ordered his release pending any charges that may be filed.
Snohomish police Cmdr. Chuck Macklin said officers became aware of the boy’s list last week when it was reported to an assistant principal by other students at the campus, 601 Glen Ave.
"The students came to him and reported that a fellow student threatened to bring a weapon to school and shoot the students on his list," Macklin said. "At that point the student was questioned by police and school officials, and he produced the list."
Macklin said the list was "short, less than a dozen," and contained names of students and teachers at the campus.
The student was immediately taken into custody and placed on an involuntary 72-hour mental health hold at a King County facility, Macklin said. He was evaluated and then appeared at a juvenile hearing in King County, where a judge released him.
"It was determined that he is not a threat to himself or others at the present time," Macklin said.
He said it is up to the prosecutor’s office if charges will be filed. Macklin said the boy was taken into custody on suspicion of harassment. He said because there was no evidence that the boy intended to carry out the threat, there was no criminal intent.
Merrifield said school authorities notified each individual and the parents of students on the list.
"We take this very seriously," she said.
Merrifield said the school has not heard from families with any additional concerns.
Macklin said police have checked with the boy’s family and those whom the boy comes in contact with to make sure that he has no access to weapons.
"There was never any mention of a specific weapon," Macklin said.
He said he is not aware of any restraining orders placed on the boy. He said police may have taken some calls from individuals reporting that the boy is back in the community.
"At this point, he is not in police custody," Macklin said. "He is not in detention."
School officials said that when a student is expelled, the district makes information available to the parents about possible alternative education programs, but it is the responsibility of the parents to pursue that. Merrifield also said parents can seek a hearing to modify the expulsion.
"But an expelled student will be charged with criminal trespassing if he is on school grounds while expelled," she said.
Macklin said the boy was not known to police, acted alone and didn’t have a troubled past. He was not a part of any gang, either, he said.
The boy acted alone, "and the only common tie between the people on his hit list is that they are all at the freshman campus," he said.
Macklin said unlike an incident two years ago, there was no evidence that the boy intended to carry out his threats.
In the previous case, Macklin said that individual had materials and information taken from the Internet on how to make bombs.
"He’d taken steps to carry out the threat," Macklin said. "In this case, we aren’t treating this lightly. But we don’t want to alarm the public unnecessarily.
"A judge has ruled that he is not a threat, and we are obligated to go by that."
You can call Herald Writer Leslie Moriarty at 425-339-3436
or send e-mail to moriarty@heraldnet.com.
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