Threats of Violence Against School

WALLA WALLA,WA - On February 27, 2012 at approximately 11:10 PM, Deputies from the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office received information from a concerned parent regarding anonymous posts on a Facebook profile page which used a suspected pseudonym as the page owner’s name. According to the concerned parent, these posts contained threats of violence against the school in Burbank, WA and contained derogatory vulgar comments towards people based upon their race, color, religion, ancestry, and sexual orientation; more specifically African Americans, Jewish people, and homosexuals. Shortly after the posts on Facebook, the profile page was apparently deleted.
Deputies immediately launched an investigation and notified Columbia School District officials. During this investigation, other persons were located and confirmed the content and threatening nature of these anonymous Facebook posts. A plan was developed which included Burbank School District safety precautions as well as additional personnel from the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office being deployed at Burbank schools. Deputies from the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office have contacted Facebook and are now working with members of the Walla Walla County Prosecutor’s Office in an attempt to recover the content of these posts as well as any information which could lead to the identity of the suspect. As of the date & time of this press release, no acts of violence related to or due to these posts have occurred.Any person with information regarding this case is asked to please contact the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office at (509) 524-5400.