Highline High School in Burien, WA placed on lockdown after student pistol whipped

Highline High School placed on lockdown after assault with weapon

Highline High School in Burien was placed on lockdown after a student reportedly brought a gun to school and pistol whipped another student on Monday.

BURIEN, Wash. - Highline High School in Burien was placed on lockdown Monday afternoon after a reported assault with a handgun on school grounds.

What we know:

The lockdown began just before 1 p.m. following reports of a person with a weapon inside the school, according to the King County Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff's Office says no shots were fired, however one student was assaulted, possibly pistol whipped. No additional students were hurt.

There are three suspects in custody for felony assault. The lockdown was lifted 2:30 p.m. after deputies combed the school and surrounding areas.

Families were asked to pick up students south of Highline HS, as the main entrance was blocked due to police activity.

What they're saying:

Ezekiel was in third period when staff announced that the high school was going into lockdown.  

"It was kind of scary at first. We were locked down for a really long time. We were antsy. We were like, ‘What’s going on?’" said Ezekiel Alvarez-White, Highline High School student. "If you are a student, you don’t really need a gun, more specifically to hit people with."

Initial reports prompted a swift response from law enforcement.

"Even though there wasn’t a firearm discharged here today, just the fact a firearm was mentioned brought in these resources," said Sgt. Earl Seratt with the King County Sheriff’s Office. 

Several neighbors witnessed the commotion, worried over what was happening at the school.

"I feel badly for the kids because it’s hard enough to go to high school without wondering who’s going to jump you or shoot you," said Joy Anderson, a local resident concerned about the lockdown.

"We’ve been having a lot recently," said Ezekiel, pointing out that there was another incident that prompted a short security response from the school last week. 

Dig deeper:

This follows another lockdown at Highline High School last Tuesday due to a shooting along 1st Avenue South, happening just west of the school.

In that incident, multiple shots were fired and people were seen running from the scene towards the school. Highline was placed on lockdown for about 30 minutes.

One person was detained for the shooting but later released, and no arrests have been made. At least one car was damaged by a stray bullet, and there were no reported injuries.

Three students arrested after gun-related fight prompts lockdown at Highline High School

Highline High School in Burien was placed on lockdown after a fight in the parking lot left one student injured, possibly pistol-whipped, according to the King County Sheriff’s Office.

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