Hoax threat puts Palouse School in lockdown

PALOUSE - The Palouse School went into lockdown this morning while law enforcement responded to a reported threat.

At approximately 8:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 27, an anonymous caller reported to local law enforcement they were in an argument with their mother and had "shot and killed her."

According to a Whitman County Sheriff's Office press release, the caller provided an address adjacent to Palouse School, indicating they were suicidal and armed.

Based on the information the school was immediately notified by deputies and put in lockdown.

The Sheriff's Office reported that deputies, troopers and local law enforcement, along with medical responders from Pullman fire, responded and established contact with the resident inside the house of the alleged incident.

According to reports, it was determined that no shooting or incident had taken place at the residence, obtaining evidence that the call was a "swatting" incident and a false report.

Authorities are in the process of looking to see if the caller can be tracked or identified.

Preliminary information indicates the caller was from out of the area and possibly out of the country.

Deputies reported that while false reporting is a criminal offense, it can be difficult to prosecute without the ability to track the origination of the call.

The incident is currently under investigation.