By Shannon Lukens.
Steamboat Springs Police Chief Mark Beckett says Steamboat Springs Police is not arresting anyone right now regarding the lockdown incident at Steamboat Springs High School Friday afternoon.
“We never had a specific threat from this individual. At this time, we’re still undergoing the investigation. We’re going through some forensic information, but as of right now, nobody has been charged so there is going to be no information put out on any sort of a suspect because frankly there isn’t one.”
He said Steamboat Springs Police shut down the school Friday afternoon out of an abundance of caution after three anonymous Safe2Tell reports.
The first anonymous tip didn’t have a picture but it said there was a student at the school with a gun, and the person reporting it was afraid. Steamboat Springs Police went to the school and contacted the individual in question who is an 18-year-old student. Police searched his property at the school. No weapons were found. They interviewed him and didn’t have any reason to charge him with a crime. SSDP officers concluded their investigation and left the school and the student went back to class.
About 15 minutes later, there was a second Safe2Tell report. The person knew police had been at the school, they also knew the person had a gun, and the tip showed a picture of the student with “what appeared to be an AR15.” Chief Beckett said because they knew the student was still at school, and school would soon be getting out and there would be a lot of activity in the parking lot, they placed an emergency lockdown on the high school.
Chief Beckett says by the time law enforcement got there, the student in question had been released and was gone, but a team of officers searched inside the high school to make sure.
Other officers went to addresses in Steamboat Springs that they had for the person.
They found him at an address and he was detained.
Chief Beckett says this individual never made a threat that was witnessed by anyone they were able to contact, since Safe2Tell is anonymous. They spoke to other students about it as well. None of them had any information about a threat.
When SSPD contacted the individual again the second time, Chief Beckett says he told police that he had no intention of doing anything. They interviewed him for over an hour and they were not able to establish any probable cause, so he was not arrested.
Chief Beckett says, “We never had an overt threat that was made by this subject.”
The investigation continues. They are still looking at forensic evidence analysis with electronics and social media. A gun was never located at the school.
Chief Beckett reiterated, “As of right now, there’s not enough to charge him with a crime.”
Chief Beckett says there will be an update if an arrest is made.
He asks that if anyone heard any threats or has any information, please contact the Steamboat Springs Police Department at 970-879-1144. Ask for Detective Lisa Eifling who is the School Resource Officer, or Sergeant Sam Silva.
LONG INTERVIEW with Chief Beckett
Oct. 4, 2024 — Suspect is in custody after lockdown at SSHS
Safe2Tell is an anonymous reporting option. Their website says, ” Make a report. Anonymously report anything that concerns or threatens you, your friends, your family, or your community. We take your reports any time, any day. You have the power to make a difference.”
It allows anyone to report something anonymously, at any time and any day. Different language options are available.
Reports can be submitted by calling 1-877-542-SAFE (7233), using the link on the website, through the Safe2Tell mobile app, or by texting S2TCO to 738477.