School threats were via email, text, Sheriff says

Most schools across Flathead County will not have school today after a threat was received against the schools.

The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, Columbia Falls Police Department and the FBI began a joint investigation Wednesday evening following a series of electronic threats that area schools began receiving, Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry said in a release Thursday morning.

The threats started with the Columbia Falls school district and eventually spread throughout the evening and early morning hours to other area schools. All the threats were text or email, Curry noted.

As a precautionary measure, several area schools canceled classes today. Investigators from all the involved agencies have worked throughout the night, and are continuing to follow up on leads and have identified and are speaking with persons of interest.

Extra patrols of area schools are currently taking place from all law enforcement agencies. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Flathead County Detective Division at 758-5610.

This joint investigation is ongoing, Curry said and further information will be released as it becomes available.

This isn’t the first time Columbia Falls schools have received a threat. In 2014 a bomb squad swept the junior high after a threat was written on the bathroom wall. It was not considered credible, but the bomb squad checked the school as a precaution.

Superintendent Steve Bradshaw could not be immediately reached for comment.