High school break-in may be 'practice run' for school shooting in Washington state: police

Authorities in Enumclaw, Washington have identified three juveniles involved in a late-night break-in at Enumclaw High School, an incident that initially raised fears of a potential active shooter plot. While the suspects have told investigators that it was a prank, law enforcement isn’t fully convinced.

According to the Enumclaw Police Department, the break-in occurred at approximately 9:56 pm on Saturday, May 31, when three masked and armed juveniles entered the high school. Officers responded rapidly to the scene, prompting the suspects to flee by 10:04 pm. No theft or vandalism was reported, an anomaly that immediately raised red flags for police.

Surveillance footage reviewed the following morning heightened concerns. The video showed one suspect filming the event while another moved through the building holding what appeared to be a handgun. At times, the group stopped to speak with each other, suggesting coordinated actions rather than aimless wandering.

“In my 28 years, I’ve seen a lot of break-ins at schools, right? And every single one of them involves theft or damage. That didn’t happen here at all,” Enumclaw Police Chief Tim Floyd told KIRO 7. “Now, looking at the video from start to finish with all the different angles, it became very clear—at least in my mind and some of our other commanding staff—what we were witnessing.”

Chief Floyd described the behavior in the video as resembling a "practice run" for a possible school shooting, explaining that one of the juveniles appeared to be recording the entire operation on a cell phone while another brandished a handgun, later identified as an airsoft replica.

Out of an abundance of caution, the Enumclaw School District increased police presence at the high school beginning Monday morning. The FBI and the King County Coalition of Small Police Agencies – Major Crimes Task Force were brought in to assist with the investigation.

According to Enumclaw Police, thanks to numerous community tips following the release of surveillance images, all three suspects were identified. Two are current students at Enumclaw High School and are in custody. The third, who was visiting from out of state, has since returned home. Because the suspects are juveniles, their identities have not been released, but police say they are cooperating with the investigation.

Although initial interviews with the suspects indicated the incident was meant as a prank, investigators are not ruling out more sinister motives. The involvement of a fake firearm, coordinated movements, and video documentation all contribute to law enforcement’s ongoing concerns.

“There is no continued threat at Enumclaw High School,” the department stated, “but we will maintain an increased police presence throughout today and tomorrow to provide reassurance to students, staff, and the community.”

Investigators continue to analyze the footage and digital evidence, and charges are expected against the two Enumclaw students.