13-year-old arrested after making fake active shooter threat at Housel Middle School

Prosser Police Department has taken into custody a 13-year-old who allegedly placed phone calls regarding an active shooter and a bomb threat at Housel Middle School.

According to the department’s sources, officers were notified of a possible active shooter at the school at around 7 a.m, prompting both the Prosser Police Department and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office to respond.

Following a thorough search of the premises, authorities determined that there was no danger to the school.

Furthermore, they also examined neighboring schools and concluded that there was no genuine or active threat.

Officials had previously been investigating a bomb threat that had been reported on Thursday for Housel Middle School and believed that the same student had made both threats.

The student was apprehended at the school on Friday.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office has alleged that the student made three distinct calls over the past 48 hours, each involving threats to schools.

Law enforcement officials confirmed that the student will be held accountable for all of the calls they made.

Housel Middle School resumed its normal schedule shortly before 10 a.m., affirming that they treat every threat with the utmost gravity as their topmost priority is the protection and well-being of their students.

Authorities emphasized that making a threat, even by phone, is a severe offense that will result in legal repercussions.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office expressed in a social media post on Friday that the community should be reassured of their safety.

Housel Middle School issued the following statement:

As of 9:59AM on Friday, February 24, Housel Middle School lifted their Secure and Teach and resumed our day as normal. We appreciate your patience while we worked with the Prosser Police Department and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office to locate the source of the threats that have occurred over the last two days. The safety and security of your students is always our highest priority. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the HMS Office at 509.786.1732.