Lacey, Washington

Media Release: April 27, 2015

Gunfire at North Thurston High School

On April 27, 2015, at about 7:25 AM the Lacey Police Department’s School Resource Officer notified dispatch that he had shots fired at North Thurston High School. The Officer advised that he had the suspect in custody and that there were no injuries to students or staff.

Officers from the Lacey Police Department, Olympia Police Department, Thurston County Sheriff’s Office, Tumwater Police Department and the FBI responded to assist.

The preliminary investigation has revealed that the shooter is a 16 year old North Thurston High School student. At this time it is believed that he fired one shot into the floor from a handgun outside the 2nd floor gym. The suspect then came down the stairs to the commons area (lunchroom) and fired another shot up into the ceiling. After the second shot was fired the suspect was tackled by a teacher who was nearby. While the school was in lockdown, law enforcement officers searched the school to ensure that there were no other threats to students or staff. Once the school was secured, law enforcement worked with school administrators to move all students to the stadium so that parent reunification could occur.

Detectives, along with the FBI, served a search warrant on the suspect’s residence in Lacey. They seized three laptop computers, two cell phones and one handgun. The suspect’s parents are cooperating with investigators.

Lacey Police Commander Jim Mack and North Thurston Public School’s Communication Director Courtney Schrieve will be available from 2:00 to 2:45 at North Thurston High School’s South entrance on Kasey Keller Drive.

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