The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON - The Columbia County Sheriff’s Department has released a statement to the press about an incident that occurred last Tues., Dec. 5, when the Sheriff’s Department received a call from the Dayton School District regarding threats made against the school by a student.

The Sheriff’s Department press release stated that Deputy Jeff Jenkins met with Superintendent Doug Johnson and High School Principal Paul Shaber. After determining the threats were credible, Sheriff Rocky Miller and Prosecutor Rea Culwell were asked to join the meeting.

The student was placed under arrest at 1:10 p.m. at the student’s home and taken to the Juvenile Justice Center in Walla Walla, booked, and charged with harassment, threats to kill, which is a Class C felony, and threats to injure any public building, which is a Class B felony.

The Sheriff’s Department also stated that on Dec. 4, the same student was overheard saying they would “shoot up the school.”

During the investigation, the school district determined that previously threats had been made against a fellow student “to stab them and cut their head off”.

The student had been expelled from school earlier that morning, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

Superintendent Doug Johnson said, “The safety of students and staff is a district priority. The allegation was taken seriously and immediately investigated . . . This is now a public safety matter,” he said.

“The district will cooperate with law enforcement and the justice system as needed,” Johnson said.

“The district will consider what, if any, actions to take regarding the incident, based on the Dayton High School student handbook, and district policies. . .”

“The district remains committed to providing opportunities for all students to achieve academic excellence and the opportunity to become productive members of our communities, state, and country.

“During challenging times we are reminded of the importance of each and every student and the need to help them acquire positive character traits, such as respect, perseverance, and empathy. We are dedicated to supporting the needs of each child and every family, in our community,” Johnson said.

The investigation is ongoing.