Update: The following story has been updated to reflect a post-publication comment by Rawlins Police Department.
Authorities are still investigating a reported active-assailant threat against Victory High School in Rawlins, based on a Tuesday online tip to the FBI.
Following a tip to its online tip line, the FBI in turn notified the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office and Rawlins Police Department of the reported threat, according to a Thursday joint statement by Carbon County Sheriff Alex Bakken and Rawlins Police Chief Michael Ward.
The police department told Cowboy State Daily the sheriff's office is the primary agency on the call, but said the police department also is working with the FBI and Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation to address "the possible threat of violence."
"The Rawlins Police Department always prioritizes the safety of students and staff we always encourage anyone with information on a possible threat to report that information to the authorities," Mira Miller, Rawlins spokeswoman, said on the police department's behalf.
Bakken told Cowboy State Daily the law enforcement agencies launched an investigation involving interviews, social media sweeps and search warrants, and the investigation is ongoing.
No one had been charged with a crime as of Thursday morning.
“The potential threats have been addressed and measures taken to ensure the safety and security of all schools within Carbon County School District 1,” says the statement.
The joint statement says the agencies are withholding names and identities of parties involved because of the sensitive nature of investigations involving juveniles.
Victory High School Principal Travis Moore said school administrators are working with law enforcement “to wrap up the investigation” and the there’s no threat now. He referred Cowboy State Daily to Human Resources Administrator Tanya Wall, who could not be reached immediately for comment.
Bakken concluded a follow-up email to Cowboy State Daily by thanking school resource officers throughout the state for their work. He said Carbon County and Rawlins school resource officers both “played a critical role throughout this entire investigation and response.”
Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.
