Student in custody after making threats toward Milton-Freewater school

A McLoughlin High School student is in custody after making threats that forced all schools in the district to close down.

According to a press release from the Milton-Freewater Unified School District, Principal Mindi Vaughan received an email at 11:00 PM Thursday evening, September 13, advising that a student at McLoughlin High School threatened to shoot up the  school the next day. The threat was specific, saying that he would start shooting in the Science Wing. 

Vaughan read the email Friday morning at 5:00 AM, and notified superintendent, Dr. Rob Clark.

After contacting the Milton-Freewater City Police Department and the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office, district administrators determined there was enough credible information to be concerned about this situation.

Because law enforcement had not finished their investigation, and the student was still at-large, officials decided to cancel school at all buildings in the school district.

District administrations learned at about 11:00 AM on Friday, September 14, that law enforcement had the student in custody. The teen will remain in jail through the weekend.

Dr. Baker confirmed that all activities scheduled for Mac-Hi Friday and Saturday will continue as scheduled.