Brief shelter-in-place at Sealth, Denny today: Letter to parents

Chief Sealth International High School and Denny International Middle School had a brief shelter-in-place earlier today when police were checking out a report of possible shots fired in the area. We heard a bit about it and quickly learned from police – who were a few blocks to the east, investigating an unrelated assault case – that it was an unsubstantiated report. Nonetheless, the schools’ principals have sent this letter to families, and we’re sharing it:

Dear Denny and Sealth Scholars and Families,

We want to share with you information right away regarding a very short Shelter-in-Place that occurred at our schools this morning.

At 10:00am, Seattle Public Schools Security received a notification of a report being made of shots fired in the Denny/Sealth neighborhood. Both schools went into a Shelter-in-Place as an immediate precaution. A few minutes later, Seattle Police Officers came to school to let us know that they found no evidence of shots being fired, therefore the situation was cleared and we could end the Shelter-in-Place. Announcements were made at both schools ending the Shelter-in-Place and returning to a normal school day.

For your information, a Shelter-in-Place is used when there is a potential danger in the surrounding community. When this happens, all scholars are brought into the school building and all exterior doors are locked. Inside the building, classes continue as planned.

As always, safety is our top priority. Please let us know if you have any questions.

5 Replies to "Brief shelter-in-place at Sealth, Denny today: Letter to parents"

  • JCM January 8, 2016 (2:19 pm)

    We are hearing helicopters by the dog park

    • WSB January 8, 2016 (2:50 pm)

      Hi – definitely not related to this. Perhaps a TV station checking out the Myers Way death, which police told us was a case of suicide – http://whitecenternow.com/?p=12902 – nothing else working that we know of, but it’s been a busy day.

  • Bryan January 8, 2016 (4:21 pm)

    I live about six blocks from Denny. My daughter and I were inside our house and heard a boom around 10:00. I didn’t think it was a gunshot. I thought it sounded more like an M80 type firecracker.

  • wendy January 8, 2016 (4:23 pm)

    Helicopter just went over very slow, 32nd and Holden…

    • WSB January 8, 2016 (4:30 pm)

      We’re on the way to see what’s going on up there. Can’t tell from scanner.

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