Mount Vernon teen detained after online threat toward Mount Baker Middle School

A note to our readers: The student involved in this story is a minor. Skagit Breaking will not publish his name or any details that could identify him, and we ask our readers to do the same in the comments and on social media. Rumors and guesses can hurt kids and families, including the student’s.

A 14-year-old was detained Friday after a post online appeared to threaten Mount Baker Middle School. Police say they believe he acted alone.

MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon police have detained a 14-year-old student after staff at Mount Baker Middle School spotted a social media post on Friday morning that looked like it could be a threat of a shooting at the school.

Staff brought the post to the school’s resource officer, a Mount Vernon police officer assigned to the campus, and the two worked together to look into it right away. That investigation led police to a 14-year-old boy, and he was detained over the post.

Police say that, as of now, they believe the boy acted on his own.

In a statement posted Friday, Lt. Dave Shackleton of the Mount Vernon Police Department credited the people who spoke up quickly about the post, along with the department’s close working relationship with the school district. He said that teamwork helped keep students and staff safe.

Police have not released any other details, including what the post said, citing the ongoing investigation. As of the department’s statement, no information had been released about charges.

Talking with your kids

A scare like this can be hard on kids, even when everyone is safe. A few things that may help at home:

• Check in. Ask what they’ve heard and how they’re feeling, and listen before you reassure.
• Stick to the facts. Let them know school staff and police acted fast and that the student believed responsible is in custody.
• Remind them that speaking up works. This was handled quickly because someone reported a post they saw. If kids see something worrying online, they should tell a trusted adult right away.
• Don’t share or repost threatening posts. Take a screenshot if you can, then report it to the school or police instead of passing it around.

How to report a concern

Mount Vernon School District families and students can report safety concerns, including threats, weapons, bullying or harassment, through the district’s SafeSchools Alert system. Reports can be made online, by phone, text or email, or through the app.

For questions about Mount Baker Middle School, call the school office at (360) 428-6127. The school also has a counseling team students can turn to.

If you have information that could help the investigation, call Mount Vernon police dispatch, available around the clock, at (360) 428-3211, or the police department’s business line at (360) 336-6271 during office hours.

Sources: Mount Vernon Police Department statement, Lt. Dave Shackleton (Oct. 16, 2026); Mount Baker Middle School.