Local law enforcement determines school threat wasn't credible

Schools in Libby and Troy were on lockdown early Tuesday morning while local law enforcement investigated an alleged threat by a man who threatened to shoot up a school.

According to a press release from Libby Police Chief Cody Ercanbrack, the Libby Police Department received a call from a sheriff’s deputy in Bonner County, Idaho at about 7:28 a.m. Tuesday that he received a call from a local business in Sandpoint, Idaho, and the caller made mention that an employee stated he was going to shoot up a school but did not specify where. 

“The Bonner County deputy informed the Libby Police Department of a possible suspect and added the suspect had access to multiple firearms from previous contacts,” Ercanbrack wrote in the release. “Lincoln County deputies and Libby Police Department officers responded to the suspect’s residence and were unable to locate the suspect. The Libby Police Department then notified the schools and informed them of the possible threat and the schools took immediate action in securing their facilities.” 

Ercanbrack reported that Lincoln County deputies and the Libby Police Department then located the suspect’s vehicle at a location away from the schools and contacted the suspect. After speaking with the suspect about the information received from the Bonner County deputy, it was determined there was no threat to the schools or the public.

Ercanbrack said the man made, “a frustrated joke due to compounding personal problems. He had no intention of actually hurting anyone. It was just an off-color statement not specific or motivated.”

“School Superintendent Ron Goodman was informed by the Libby Police Department that there was no longer a threat to the schools or the public,” Ercanbrack said. “Although this threat was found to be not credible, the Libby Police Department and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office will always take these types of threats extremely serious. The safety of our children is a top priority for the Libby Police Department.  The Libby Police Department would also like to thank the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office for their dedicated deputies.”

Troy Superintendent of Schools Christina Schertel said Troy Police Department Chief Katie Davis and officers Henry Roy and Michael Miller came to both Troy buildings to ensure the safety of their students.

“We were informed by our Troy City Police about a threat made this morning from a Lincoln County resident,” Schertel said in an email to The Western News. “They came to both our buildings and helped us get our students safely into the building and start our lockdown procedures.

“Henry Roy, Katie Davis and Michael Miller stayed at our area schools until they were given the "all clear" from the Sheriff's Department. They continued to remain on campus for the rest of the day to ensure that both parents and students felt safe. We are grateful to them for their communication with local law enforcement and all the staff and community members that supported us today.”