Public Safety · Lewis County
Teen Released After Football Game Gun Threat Due to Communication Breakdown
A 15-year-old juvenile made a credible gun violence threat targeting a specific student at a Rochester-Centralia high school football game in Lewis County, Washington, according to Sheriff Derek Sanders. The juvenile was arrested Friday night during a traffic stop by Washington State Patrol troopers and processed through the Thurston County Sheriff's Office but was declined for booking and released due to what Sanders described as an internal communication breakdown. Sanders said he was not informed of the release until late Saturday night, after which deputies located and re-arrested the juvenile. The rescheduled game took place at 6 p.m. Monday at Rochester High School with increased law enforcement presence. Sanders apologized to Thurston and Lewis County residents for the processing failure.