Emailed threat shutters college campus on Whidbey

The Oak Harbor campus of Skagit Valley Community College went into lockdown Monday morning.

The Oak Harbor campus of Skagit Valley Community College went into lockdown Monday morning as a result of a threatening email sent to the college.

Laura Daniali, a public information officer for Skagit Valley Community College, said both Oak Harbor and Mount Vernon campuses entered the lockdown at 8:42 a.m. It was lifted at approximately 9:30 a.m. As a cautionary measure, campuses and centers remained closed for the day and all activities and events were suspended.

Normal operations at the college resumed Tuesday.

Oak Harbor Police Chief Kevin Dresker said that the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation. A woman mentioned in the threat may have a connection to the Oak Harbor area, but it’s not something that is being investigated at this time.

“If there’s a connection locally, we’ll certainly coordinate with anybody,” Dresker said.

According to a press release from the Mount Vernon Police Department, the subject line of the suspicious email sent May 8 contained reference to an “active threat.” The body of the email went on to state that explosives and firearms would be used in the active threat carried out on campus.

Skagit Valley Community College is not alone in receiving menacing messaging. Everett Community College received a similar email and also went into lockdown Monday. A college in Bellevue went into lockdown last Friday for the same reason.