PORTLAND, Ore. — Two teens were arrested for carrying guns outside Mountain View High School in Vancouver on Monday, Vancouver Police Department (VPD) said.
At approximately 12 p.m., police received information about a social media message "regarding a threat to shoot outside Mountain View High School in an attempt to possibly confront a specific student." The message was reported by a student, VPD said.
While investigating where the threat came from, two police officers responded to the school and observed the teens approaching the school. The officers detained both of them and found each had a loaded gun in their possession, VPD said.
"If things had gone a little differently one way or the other, it could be a different outcome," said Vancouver Police Department public affairs manager, Kim Kapp. "The officers were there at the right time and the student did the right thing at the right time, and everyone is going home safe tonight."
In a message to families and staff, Mountain View High School's Principal Charles Anthony said:
"I wanted to make you aware of a concerning incident that occurred outside of our school today right around dismissal time. This afternoon we were made aware of a potentially threatening direct message sent via Snapchat by someone that is not a student at our school or in our district."
Anthony said the incident is unrelated to separate incident involving a student in crisis that caused the school to go into lockdown Monday morning.
Both of the teens, Mekhi J. Parker, 18, and Azaviar D. Johnson, 18, will be charged with attempted assault, unlawful possession of a firearm possession of a firearm on school property and felony threat.
Neither is a student in the Evergreen School District. VPD said the investigation is ongoing and nothing else is able to be released at this time.