14-year-old Canadian suspect in Ferndale High School bomb threat arrested

FERNDALE, Wash. — A 14-year-old from Canada was arrested on October 28th in connection with a bomb threat made to Ferndale High School on October 3rd that led to an evacuation of all staff and students.

On Monday, October 28, 2024, a 14-year-old from Canada was arrested in connection to threats made across the country, which included the threat made to Ferndale High School. These incidents, which have affected not only our district but also many schools, businesses and facilities across the Country, have been disruptive and taken a significant emotional toll on the affected communities. However, through collaborative efforts, we were able to navigate this challenge while keeping the safety of our students and staff as our top priority. 

According to Craig Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the FBI’s Albany field office, investigators believe the teen is responsible for dozens of hoaxes at schools, restaurants, government organizations, police departments, airports and universities across 12 states and throughout Canada. “Today, thanks to the coordination and partnering between multiple law enforcement agencies, both domestic and international, that reign of chaos comes to an end,” said SAC Tremaroli.

We want to reassure our community that the safety of our students and staff is always our top priority. Our teams responded quickly and worked diligently to ensure a safe learning environment for everyone. We understand that these situations can cause concern and anxiety, and we appreciate the cooperation of our students, families, and staff.

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– Ferndale Police Department press release (October 29, 2024)

A Ferndale Police Department press release published the day of the hoax acknowledged the potential for this to be a swatting incident.

It is important to note that this incident may be related to a nationwide “swatting” effort. Swatting involves the false reporting of a serious emergency, such as a bomb threat, with the intent to cause disruption and fear. Until the investigation is complete, it remains unknown if today’s threat is connected to this nationwide “swatting” effort. 

– Ferndale Police Department press release (October 3, 2024)