SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — A suspect has been arrested by Spokane County authorities after allegedly posting a social media threat against a student at University High School (UHS) in Spokane Valley.
The suspect, 18-year-old Adam LL McCarty, was reportedly involved in an altercation with another student prior to the incident. McCarty had made similar threats to this student that were then passed around on social media, as others interpreted the threats as McCarty planning to "shoot up the school."
While police found no evidence to support the claim that McCarty was planning to shoot up the school, they did have evidence of McCarty's threats to kill a 16-year-old classmate.
Classes were canceled at UHS on Friday after the threat was reported to Spokane Valley police and school administrators.
According to a Spokane Valley Police Department Facebook post, deputies received information regarding an online social media threat toward UHS early Friday morning. University High School's Resource Deputy was advised and he alerted school staff.
The school sent a text message to UHS parents early Friday morning, saying the school would start two hours late due to a potential threat. However, UHS administrators decided to cancel all Friday classes at the school for the safety of students and staff as they worked with deputies to identify the person who posted the threat on social media, according to the post.
UHS experienced another threat in the past month after a 14-year-old student brought a gun to the school. The student was disarmed and arrested before anyone was hurt. There was no need for a lockdown at the school and functions resumed as normal.
McCarty has been booked into the Spokane County Jail for felony harassment and threats to kill charges.