Bellevue police arrest two juveniles suspected of making death threats against students on social media

On Tuesday, Bellevue police arrested two juveniles suspected of making online threats.

On Monday evening, three high school students called police to report that threats to shoot them had been made online.

“They got to a point where they realized it was more than just a typical joke. This was becoming a real, credible and imminent threat,” Bellevue Police Capt. Joe Nault said.

The suspects, a man and a woman, threatened on social media to find the victims at their high schools and shoot them, police said.

“That they were going to carry out their threats there if necessary,” added Nault.

The victims all attended separate high schools.

The victims told police the suspect sent a video showing a gun and ammunition.

Police searched the suspect’s residence, but the suspect’s parents refused entry.

While police were waiting for a search warrant to enter the house, the suspect attempted to flee through the back of the house before being caught.

The two suspects were arrested.

Bellevue police told KIRO 7 one suspect was a student in the Bellevue School District and the other was a student in the Issaquah School District.

Weapons and ammunition were found in the home according to Bellevue police.

“All of us – young people, parents and all community members – must take threats of violence seriously, but especially threats of gun violence – whether in person or online,” said Captain Shelby Shearer. from the Bellevue Police Department. “Thankfully, with timely and crucial assistance from the community, Bellevue Police were able to interrupt this escalating threat, take both individuals into custody and remove their firearms before a tragedy occurred in our community. »

Police arrested him just hours before the threats turned into reality.

“It happens and it’s like knowing the world we live in, it’s scary,” said Antonia, a student at Newport High School.

Antonia received an email from the school praising the students for reporting the threats to the police.

“I hear about it a lot and it’s sad to say that I think a lot of people are becoming desensitized to it,” Antonia added. “Knowing my siblings were at school was pretty scary.”

According to Nault, it was the victims’ quick actions that could have been a matter of life and death.

“We avoided incidents that I’m convinced were going to turn into shootings if we hadn’t been involved,” Nault said.

Police are still investigating but do not believe there is a threat to the community.