A Nikiski Middle/High School student was arrested Wednesday after Alaska State Troopers said the student made terroristic threats toward the school. The Alaska Department of Public Safety reported late Wednesday evening that the agency on Tuesday afternoon received a report of threats made at the school, including “that there could be a mass shooting targeting the school.”
Tim Despain, a public information officer for the Alaska State Troopers, said Thursday that “repeated” threats were made directly to multiple students at Nikiski Middle/High School and then relayed to school administrators, who contacted the troopers. The juvenile student, Despain said, was arrested off school grounds on Wednesday and faces a charge of terroristic threatening.
Nikiski Middle/High School Principal Michael Crain wrote in an email sent to families Tuesday that school administrators “promptly took action” after being made aware of the threat by contacting troopers. The school, Crain wrote, will continue working with law enforcement to “guarantee the security of all individuals” at the school.
“We want to assure you that, based on our assessment, there is no immediate threat to the school, and all students and staff are safe,” Crain wrote. “Safeguarding the well-being of everyone in our school community is our utmost priority and we are grateful to the students who came forward with their concerns to the (Nikiski Middle/High School) administration.”
Crain advised families with safety concerns to reach out to a trusted staff member or to call KPBSD’s Safe School Helpline at 1-800-418-6423. The helpline allows callers to confidentially report threats of violence, self-harm, bullying or illegal activity impacting schools, students or staff.
Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.
