2 Southwest Washington high schools receive prank calls about active shooters

CLARK CO. Wash. (KPTV) - Two high schools in Southwest Washington received prank calls about fake active shooters on Tuesday morning.

Sheriff’s deputies responded to Heritage High School in Heritage after a prank caller claimed that there was an active shooter and seven students were shot.

According to a statement from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, the prank caller claimed to be a teacher inside the school.

The first Deputy was reportedly inside the school within two minutes of the call being dispatched, within another 40 seconds five more Deputies had arrived along with numerous law enforcement from other jurisdictions. Within two minutes of Deputies arriving, it was determined there was no incident at the school and the call was a prank.

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the origin of the call and their initial investigation shows the caller had a similar accent and speaking style as the false school shooting report at Henrietta Lacks High School on September 16th, 2022 in Vancouver, WA.

In a statement to FOX 12, a spokesperson for Kelso High School confirmed that police received a similar call Tuesday.

“There was a false 911 call today to Kelso Police Department claiming Kelso High School was in lockdown with an active shooter. We understand similar calls were made in SW WA and across the country today,” said Public Information Officer Michele M. Nerland.