Authorities in Enumclaw, Washington have arrested three juveniles following a late-night break-in at Enumclaw High School that initially triggered concerns about a potential active shooter plot.
The incident occurred at approximately 9:56 pm on Saturday, May 31, when three masked individuals carrying what appeared to be weapons entered the high school building.
The suspects had gained unauthorized access to the facility during evening hours when the building should have been secured and empty.
Police officers responded rapidly to the emergency call and arrived on scene within minutes of the initial report.
The quick response time forced the suspects to abandon their activities and flee the premises by 10:04 pm, cutting short whatever plans they may have had.
The break-in immediately raised red flags for investigators due to several unusual circumstances that distinguished it from typical school intrusions.
No theft occurred during the incident, despite the suspects having access to valuable equipment and supplies throughout the building.
Additionally, no vandalism was reported at the school, which further puzzled investigators as most juvenile break-ins at educational facilities involve either stealing property or causing damage to classrooms, hallways or other areas.
Surveillance footage reviewed the following morning revealed disturbing details about the suspects’ behavior inside the building.
The comprehensive video evidence showed one individual systematically filming the entire event while another moved through hallways carrying what appeared to be a handgun.
The footage captured the suspects moving through multiple areas of the school building during their brief time inside.
Their actions appeared deliberate and purposeful rather than the chaotic behavior typically associated with teenage pranks or random acts of vandalism.
The group stopped periodically to communicate with each other during their time inside the school.
Law enforcement officials noted that the suspects seemed to know where they were going and what they were doing throughout the incident.
Enumclaw Police Chief Tim Floyd expressed serious concerns about the nature of the incident.
“In my 28 years, I’ve seen a lot of break-ins at schools, right? And every single one of them involves theft or damage. That didn’t happen here at all,” Chief Floyd told KIRO 7.
The police chief described the surveillance footage as resembling preparation for something more serious.
“Now, looking at the video from start to finish with all the different angles, it became very clear—at least in my mind and some of our other commanding staff—what we were witnessing,” Floyd stated.
Chief Floyd characterized the behavior captured on video as appearing like a “practice run” for a possible school shooting.
One juvenile appeared to be recording the entire operation on a cell phone while another brandished what was later identified as an airsoft replica handgun.
The Enumclaw School District responded immediately to the security threat.
Police presence was increased at the high school beginning Monday morning as a precautionary measure.
Federal authorities joined the investigation due to the serious nature of the incident and the potential implications for school safety.
The FBI was called in to provide specialized expertise in analyzing the evidence and determining the true intent behind the break-in.
The King County Coalition of Small Police Agencies – Major Crimes Task Force was also brought in to assist local law enforcement.
Community members played a crucial role in identifying the suspects after law enforcement reached out for public assistance.
Police released clear surveillance images from the break-in to local media outlets and social media platforms.
Numerous tips poured in from concerned citizens who recognized the individuals in the photographs, Enumclaw police outlined.
The community response was swift and decisive, leading to the rapid identification of all three suspects involved in the incident.
Two of the suspects are current students at Enumclaw High School and have been taken into custody.
The third suspect was visiting from out of state and has since returned home.
The identities of all three suspects remain protected due to their juvenile status. However, police report that the individuals are cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
