Kentwood student reportedly caught with a firearm on campus

A Kentwood High School student faces a potential unlawful possession of a firearm charge after their arrest for reportedly having a gun on campus Friday, Feb. 28.

“One juvenile was booked for unlawful possession of a firearm,” according to a March 3 email from Sgt. Val Kelly, spokesperson for the King County Sheriff’s Office. “No students or staff were harmed during the incident.”

The school went into lockdown at about 11:25 a.m. due to a report of a weapon on campus, said Principal Samantha Ketover in a Feb. 28 email to the Kentwood community, which was provided to the Kent Reporter by a Kent School District resident.

“Local law enforcement and Kent Safety Services immediately responded, and a weapon was safely recovered,” Ketover said.

Kentwood is at 25800 164th Ave. SE, in Covington, which contracts with the Sheriff’s Office to provide law enforcement in the city. The school is in Covington but part of the Kent School District.

Kelly declined to answer specific questions about where the gun was found, the type of gun or the age and gender of the student taken into custody.

Ketover said the lockdown was lifted at 11:55 a.m. She said as a precautionary measure, local police remained on campus for the remainder of the school day to ensure everyone’s safety and to provide additional support.

“We are incredibly proud of our students for reporting the information that led to a swift response,” Ketover said. “Their actions remind us of the importance of our ‘See Something, Say Something’ expectation, and we encourage all students to continue to speak up whenever they notice something that could pose a concern.”

Ketover said the administrative team spent the afternoon and evening of Feb. 28 working with law enforcement partners to review the incident.

“While the investigation continues, we are unable to provide additional details, to protect the integrity of the investigation and to follow student privacy laws,” Ketover said.

Ketover said the outcome of the incident isn’t over.

“I can share that our investigation, in partnership with local law enforcement, will continue and we will hold all students accountable for their actions in accordance with district disciplinary policy and Washington state law,” Ketover said. “Violence, threats of violence, and the presence of weapons in and around our schools are not in any way acceptable.”

Ketover said school staff is ready to help students and families.

“We understand that incidents like this can be unsettling, and we are here to support our students and families,” Ketover said. “We encourage families to discuss what happened today (Feb. 28). Our counselors will be available on Monday (March 3) to assist any student who may need additional support.”

Ketover said the concern remains high about gun issues on campus.

“I refuse to normalize what happened today (Feb. 28).” Ketover said. “I continue to sincerely appreciate your care and concern, patience, and partnership as we navigate difficult situations together. Thank you for your continued teamwork to take every step necessary to provide a safe, caring, and supportive learning environment.”

Fourth incident in a year

This marked at least the fourth police response and lockdown to a gun incident at Kentwood since January 2024. Nobody was hurt in any of the incidents.

Earlier incidents reported in the Kent Reporter include:

• Dec. 6, 2024: School went into a lockdown after a call about someone making threats with a gun. No gun was found, but deputies detained a subject, according to the Sheriff’s Office. It was not confirmed whether a student made the threat.

• Sept. 25, 2024: School went into a lockdown and a female student was detained for reportedly having a gun on campus, according to the King County Sheriff’s Office.

• Jan. 11, 2024: School went into a brief lockdown after a student reportedly had a pellet gun on campus. Covington Police arrested the student for investigation of possessing a dangerous weapon on school facilities.