Meridian Elementary School, 25621 140th Ave. SE, on the East Hill in Kent. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District

Meridian Elementary School, 25621 140th Ave. SE, on the East Hill in Kent. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District

Kent Police take man into custody in gun incident near Meridian Elementary

No reason given for arrest; classes remain canceled; school district releases statement

Kent Police took a 26-year-old man into custody Wednesday, Nov. 16 as detectives continue to investigate the incident of a man with a gun at a house near Meridian Elementary School.

“The suspect in this case, a 26-year-old Kent man, was taken into custody at about 4:10 pm today (Wednesday),” according to a police statement, which didn’t release on what charge officers arrested the man. “Additional details will be available later this week.”

Classes at the school were canceled on Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 15-16 as the man remained free after he reportedly pointed a gun at a family member and made statements about the school on Monday, Nov. 14, according to police. The school went into lockdown on Nov. 14.

Even with the man in custody, Kent School District officials decided to cancel classes on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 17-18, at Meridian Elementary, 25621 140th Ave. SE, on the East Hill.

“Thank you for your patience and support during these challenging circumstances,” according to a statement Wednesday on the school website.”As of a little after 4 p.m. this afternoon, the suspect has been taken into custody. School will be canceled on Thursday, Nov. 17, and Friday, Nov. 18, to provide support for the mental health and well-being of our staff and students.”

The statement told parents to check their email for details about meals and where to pick up students.

Kent School District posts statement

Kent School District officials posted a statement Wednesday on the district website about the Meridian Elementary lockdown after the man’s arrest.

“On Nov. 14, an man was driving erratically outside of the school building and threatened a staff member,” according to the statement. “KSD School Safety Services and Kent Police were notified. The suspect drove away and later returned driving erratically and continued with verbal threats at families entering the school using a megaphone. At this time, the school was placed in a lockdown.

“Police and KSD Safety Services staff responded quickly. The suspect drove away and then to a house bordering school grounds. Police reported the suspect involved had access to a rifle. Since that time, the police took possession of a firearm and ultimately took him into custody. The school remained in lockdown for the rest of the school day due to ongoing police activity.”

Kent Police in a Nov. 14 statement about the incident didn’t release any details about the man threatening a staff member, driving near the school or making verbal threats at families.

Kent School District officials said they were in close contact with Kent Police monitoring this situation.

“Out of an abundance of caution, school was canceled on Tuesday and Wednesday because the suspect had not been taken into custody yet and was seen multiple times driving in front of Meridian Elementary during the past few days,” according to the statement. “The police made attempts to stop the vehicle and were unsuccessful. State law does not allow police officers to pursue for this situation.”

District officials supported the actions by police.

“The police did everything within the scope of the law to keep everyone safe,” according to the district statement. “We acknowledge the work of Kent Police, which deployed many officers who spent dozens of hours working to resolve this matter. During this time, the suspect was not observed in the vicinity of any other Kent School District school, and for this reason, the district decided not to close other schools.”

District officials said providing a safe learning environment for students and staff is their main concern.

“Social emotional supports will be provided to students to help them transition back to school,” according to the statement.

“We understand the concern and frustration of the families, Meridian staff, and community members impacted by this incident. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this challenging situation.”


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Capt. Brandon Minneman. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire
Procession set July 18 in Kent for fallen fire Capt. Brandon Minneman

Will go from 11:10 to 11:50 a.m. from Puget Sound Fire Station 75 to Renton church

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Kent Police arrest man as suspect in fatal shootings at apartment complex

Kent man, 51, taken into custody July 16 after man and woman killed July 14

Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. FILE PHOTO, Kent Reporter
Man found not guilty in Kent fatal shooting of mother’s boyfriend

Jury agrees with self-defense argument to aid his mother after son witnessed years of abuse

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Man, woman fatally shot at Kent apartment complex

Kent Police trying to determine what led up to shooting Monday night, July 14 on East Hill

t
New Veterans Drive tunnel under I-5 in Kent to open to traffic

Tunnel opens July 16 to give drivers another option rather than SR 516 interchange

St. Francis Hospital in Federal Way. Courtesy photo
Medicaid cuts projected to heavily impact, strain local hospitals

84 hospitals across the state — including those in Renton, Federal Way, Auburn, Snoqualmie, Enumclaw and more — are expected to continually lose millions in Medicaid revenue.

t
Man, 19, pleads guilty to 2024 crash that killed Kent baby

Faces sentence for vehicular homicide in death of 21-month-old boy along SR 18 in Maple Valley

t
Kent-based UTOPIA Washington partners with Seattle nonprofit

HealthierHere announces 4 new partnerships to help residents get essential health and social services

t
King County buys building for new Kent animal shelter

Plans to close current site in Kent and move 2 miles north in 2027 at cost of $19.5 million

Courtesy Photo, Kent Cornucopia Days
Street list closure for Kent Cornucopia Days

Downtown streets to close Thursday evening, July 10 through Sunday night, July 13

COURTESY PHOTO, ShoWare Center
The city-owned accesso ShoWare Center in Kent continues to lose money, including about $2.5 million over the last three years.
City of Kent-owned ShoWare Center loses $1 million in 2024

Record-high operating loss since arena opened in 2009; city covers losses from its general fund

Kent Police officers examine a black 2013 Chevrolet Camaro after it crashed July 7 into a day care facility along East Smith Street. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire
Man, 42, could face vehicular assault charge in Kent crash

Federal Way man driving westbound down Smith hill when Chevy Camaro crashed into building