Schools in South King County – including campuses in the Kent, Tukwila, and Highline school districts – were placed under increased security measures Friday morning, Sept. 20, 2024, following an online threat targeting more than 20 schools in the region.
The threat, which officials said is part of a larger, nationwide pattern, has prompted both local police and the FBI to launch an investigation.
Among the schools named in the anonymous social media posts were Kent-Meridian High School, along with Springbrook Elementary School in the Kent School District. While police in Kent have investigated the threat and determined it is not credible, schools in the area are maintaining heightened security and modified lockdowns, with increased patrols by local law enforcement officers throughout the day.
“Kent Police have advised there is not a credible threat, and normal school activities should continue,” a spokesperson for the Kent School District said. “However, we may see an increased police presence at our schools today as a precautionary measure.”