Fake threats spur temporary lockdowns at Kalispell schools

Three Kalispell schools saw a beefed-up law enforcement presence Thursday morning after anonymous overseas threats were called in through a crisis line.

Kalispell Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies responded to threats called in to Flathead High School, Glacier High School and Elrod Elementary School, according to a message from Kalispell Police Chief Jordan Venezio sent out at 10:20 a.m., Dec. 5.  

The schools were lifted out of lockdown at 11:15 a.m. after investigators deemed the threats not credible, according to city officials.  

Similar threats were made to schools across Montana, including in Bozeman, Billings, Missoula and Great Falls school districts.  

While the Whitefish School District did not receive one of the threats, Superintendent Dave Means said administrators were monitoring the situation. He described the faux threats as what’s known as swatting, a harassment tactic where false reports of shootings, bomb threats or mental health emergencies are made to an emergency service.  

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 758-4407 or junderhill@dailyinterlake.com.