March 14, 2022 // 5pm
Dear Chief Moses Families,
In a continued effort to remain transparent, we want you to be aware of updates in the investigation of the student arrest on Monday, March 14th, 2022, at Chief Moses Middle School. Here are the initial details as well as the updates:
- At approximately 9:45 am, school administrators received a report that a student had a gun in their possession.
- School and District Resource Officers immediately responded, removing the student and their backpack from a classroom.
- A firearm was confiscated and the student was arrested and removed from school grounds. We did not go into lockdown as we immediately detained the student. Local law enforcement will continue to investigate this incident.
5:00 PM UPDATES via MLPD/CMMS Resource Officer and Administration:
- Upon investigation, Moses Lake Police and District Officers recovered a pistol as well as two magazines of ammunition for the pistol within minutes of the report. The weapon was secured and the eighth-grade student was arrested.
- Further investigation showed the student had a list of potential targets. CMMS administrators have contacted the parents and families of these individuals. No students or staff were harmed.
- In addition to criminal charges, the student will be referred to the juvenile court system and face disciplinary action.
We want to thank the Moses Lake Police Department for their diligent work– Their quick action allowed us to capably and efficiently handle the incident. We are continuing to work with the Moses Lake Police Department to conduct a full investigation.
We are also extremely proud of the students that came forward and notified our security officers, allowing us to address the situation quickly and efficiently. We know incidents of this nature can be emotional. We want you and your child to know, we are available for support. Our counselors will be available as well as additional support staff from the district throughout the week.
We can never underestimate the role we all – students, parents, and teachers – play in keeping our schools safe. We ask that you please discuss the day’s events with your child, emphasizing the seriousness of this situation. Encourage them to come forward if they have any information, and if in your conversations, you discover any information that can assist us in our investigation, please contact CMMS administration immediately.
Though news of a weapon on campus is unsettling for all of us, the school will proceed as scheduled tomorrow. As a precaution, we are increasing school security by adding additional officers from the Moses Lake Police Department.
Sincerely,
Dr. Carole L. Meyer
MLSD Interim Superintendent
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Dear Chief Moses Families,
This letter is to inform you that one of our students brought a firearm to Chief Moses Middle School today, Monday, March 14th, 2022.
- At approximately 9:45am, school administrators received a report that a student had a gun in their possession.
- School and District Resource Officers immediately responded, removing the student and their backpack from a classroom.
- A firearm was confiscated and the student was arrested and removed from school grounds. We did not go into lockdown as we immediately detained the student. Local law enforcement will continue to investigate this incident.
We cannot acknowledge enough how important it is for all of us to say something when we see or hear something that makes us uncomfortable. As a result of our ‘See Something, Say Something’ culture, we were able to intervene in what could have been a very dangerous situation. We work every day to ensure a safe and secure learning environment for our students.
As this was a violation of law; criminal charges will be brought in addition to school-imposed disciplinary measures. The student involved will be subject to school board policy and appropriate laws that govern weapons on school grounds.
Please discuss this incident with your children and emphasize that it is against the law to bring weapons of any type to school. Also, please emphasize the importance of telling you or a staff member if there is a weapon at school. In this way, we are all working together to keep our school safe.
We know incidents of this nature can be emotional. We want you and your child to know, we are available to support you. Our counselors are available as well as additional support staff from the district.
Please feel free to call us at (509) 766-2661 or email at [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Vicki Swisher
Principal
Chief Moses Middle School