Ephrata schools back to normal operations after online threats

EPHRATA — The Ephrata School District canceled all classes and activities Friday after multiple threats were made toward ESD campuses, according to statements from the district. However, schools are expected to return to normal operations Monday after threats were determined to be a hoax.  

Ephrata Schools Public Information Officer Sarah Morford said the district returned to normal operations Saturday with Cabaret, an annual arts event held by the district, being held.  

“We are returning to normal operations,” Morford said. “There will be increased police presence in the vicinity of schools, but it is normal operations.”  

A press release from the Ephrata Police Department indicated that one juvenile male Ephrata High School student had been arrested after threatening other students and the campus in general with a firearm on social media. That threat followed a Tuesday fight on campus. That student was arrested and subsequently released to his parents. EPD Chief Erik Koch said this incident was associated with a reported Snapchat threat wherein the student reportedly sent a photo of himself with a pink and black firearm saying he was going to be violent at school and that the student receiving the Snap would be the first to be targeted. The juvenile male in this instance is facing felony harassment charges. 

Additional threats were reported Thursday evening via social media threatening shootings at Ephrata High, Ephrata Middle and Parkway Intermediate schools. According to an EPD statement, the threats do not appear to be initiated by or involve the juvenile suspect in the first incident from earlier in the week.  

Ephrata School District Superintendent Ken Murray issued a statement Friday after the situation was evaluated and said the safety of students and staff remained the top priority as events moved forward and school resumes Monday. 

“Although we are disappointed that these threats resulted in the cancellation of school and various events today, we stand by our decision to close school. The safety of students and staff remains our top priority. Now that the threats have been determined to be untrue, we plan to resume scheduled events tomorrow and return to school on Monday,” Murray said in the statement.  

EPD is working with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office and the Ephrata School District to investigate the threats discovered Thursday evening and ensure campuses and the community are safe. 

“We understand that parents are very concerned,” reads the EPD statement. “We will continue to provide as much factual information as we legally can. That will be some information that we legally cannot share such as information that may disclose the identities of juveniles. We appreciate everyone understanding these restrictions.” 

EPD’s statement requests that community members call and report any social media threats immediately and refrain from sharing those threats on social media channels.  

The district and EPD expressed appreciation for the community’s cooperation and understanding during the school closure while the threats were investigated.  

“We appreciate the support of our community and our partnership with the Ephrata Police Department as we work to ensure the well-being of everyone in our schools. Thank you for your trust as we continue to address this matter with the seriousness it deserves,” Murray said.  

For more information on how school districts in Washington are required to respond to threats, visit the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s website at https://bit.ly/OSPITHREAT. 

    Ephrata School District Superintendent Ken Murray expressed appreciation for the help local law enforcement provided the district Friday in investigating threats made against campuses in Ephrata.