MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Threats to Edmonds daycares part of multistate investigation

Jan 23, 2019, 12:28 PM

Edmonds police daycares...

Two Edmonds Poli(KIRO 7)

(KIRO 7)

As Edmonds police investigate threats to local daycare centers, other police departments in Washington, Portland, and Utah are investigating similar threats.

RELATED: Man threatens to shoot kids at 5 Edmonds day cares

According to Edmonds Sergeant Josh McClure, similar threats were made over the phone to daycares both in Shoreline and Portland around the same time Monday.

In the case of the Edmonds daycares, the caller threatened violence, saying children would be shot. The threats were so graphic in nature, investigators wouldn’t give additional specifics.

Up to five daycares in Edmonds received threatening calls on Monday, and they were put on lockdown while multiple agencies responded.

Sergeant McClure said there’s no evidence yet to link the calls to multiple cities. What they do know is that a man was calling from out of state, using a texting app to disguise his phone number.

Through that, police were able to actually make contact with the suspect.

“We were able to make contact with him through that app, and then ultimately get voice contact with him, but where that number came from is part of what we’re still investigating,” McClure told KIRO Radio.

RELATED: Naveed Jamali on running for city council, threats he’s received

A detective spoke with the suspect for about an hour Monday, enough to say they don’t believe there is an immediate threat to the local public.

“It’s still unsettling and unnerving for many people and parents, and we completely understand that,” McClure said.

In terms of next steps, state and federal authorities have yet to get involved, although McClure noted that they would be contacted “at the appropriate time.”

Additional reporting from MyNorthwest staff.

MyNorthwest News

lead cookware washington...

Frank Sumrall

Washington becomes first state to ban lead in cookware

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed the Lead in Cookware Act Thursday, banning lead from any products used to cook food.

7 minutes ago

delta sexual assault...

Frank Sumrall

Woman sues Delta Air Lines after sexually assaulted on flight by employee

Last year, a woman was sexually assaulted on a Delta Air Lines flight from Phoenix to Seattle by an airline employee.

1 hour ago

Photo: Lewis and Clark High School students thought quickly to save their track coach's life....

Julia Dallas

Spokane high school students save track coach’s life after his heart stops

Two Spokane high school students used their quick thinking and past training to save their track coach's life last week.

3 hours ago

Image: Brightly colored eggs are set on a table on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington,...

Ted Buehner

Expect good Easter weekend weather for egg hunts, chilly evening Mariners games

Both Saturday and Sunday of Easter weekend will feature temperatures warming to around 60 degrees across much of Western Washington.

15 hours ago

Taylor Swift performs onstage during the Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at Lumen Field on July 22, 20...

Micki Gamez, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

Seattle tourism dollars break records following All-Star Week, Taylor Swift

It was a record-setting year for dollars flowing into Seattle from tourists.

16 hours ago

Image: A bridge in Carnation....

Julia Dallas

Carnation frustrated with Seattle again after 8th false emergency alarm induces widespread panic

Carnation citizens have faced a series of panic-inducing alarms after SPU's system for the Tolt Dam falsely sounded eight times.

18 hours ago

Threats to Edmonds daycares part of multistate investigation