Lake City High School in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, initiated a lockdown Wednesday afternoon after law enforcement received a false threat involving firearms and explosives. The incident highlights the ongoing issue of “swatting,” where anonymous callers waste public safety resources with fabricated emergencies.
False Threat Triggers Emergency Response
The Coeur d’Alene Police Department received the call at approximately 1 p.m. from an individual claiming to be a student at the high school. The caller stated she had received a message from her boyfriend containing images of weapons and bombs in the parking lot before disconnecting, preventing dispatchers from gathering further details.
Officers arrived on scene within a minute of the lockdown starting. They secured the parking lot and conducted a sweep of the building to locate the alleged suspect. According to a news release, “During this search, no suspicious people or items were found.”
Regional Pattern of False Reports
Authorities confirmed the Wednesday incident was an act of swatting. This event follows a pattern of similar false reports across Idaho in recent months. Two additional swatting calls were received in the Boise area on the same day as the Lake City High School incident.
Local agencies have responded to multiple fabricated threats recently:
- May 1: A false threat forced an evacuation at Silver Lake Mall in Coeur d’Alene.
- May: Benewah County Sheriff’s personnel responded to a confirmed swatting incident at St. Maries High School, resulting in a lockdown.
- August: The Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office investigated a false report of a shooting at a residence in Wallace.
Impact on Nearby Schools
Due to the proximity of Lake City High School, Athol Elementary went into a safety hold as a precautionary measure. The hold was lifted after authorities determined there was no danger. Coeur d’Alene High School also received police response out of an abundance of caution but did not enter a lockdown or safety hold.
An investigation into the source of the Wednesday call is ongoing. Law enforcement agencies continue to treat swatting as a serious offense that endangers public safety and diverts critical resources from legitimate emergencies.