Four people arrested for allegedly threatening witnesses in Kingston High case

PORT ORCHARD, Wash. -- The Kitsap County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday it had arrested four people for allegedly threatening witnesses in their case against 18-year-old Matthew Smiley, who is accused of threatening to "shoot up" Kingston High School.

Three of the arrests occurred between 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Kingston High School. The fourth arrest occurred in Bremerton around 3:30 p.m., the sheriff's office said.

"Sheriff’s detectives became aware of the threats to witnesses from NK School District officials earlier today and initiated the follow-up investigation. Specific threats to harm several individuals were made via social media," the sheriff's office said.

Smiley appeared in Kitsap County District Court on Monday, where a judge set bail at $2 million for the former Kingston High student.

According to the sheriff's office, an investigation was started last Thursday after a 911 call made by Kingston High School security officers, who reported that witnesses had contacted them and said a former student had voiced threats to others that, "One of these days I'm gonna walk in and shoot up the school."

"The threats to cause violence at KHS were reportedly made on more than one occasion. Witnesses also reported that the young man had access to firearms and had displayed these weapons as a point of emphasis," the sheriff's office said.

Deputies and detectives learned that the suspect, Smiley, had been expelled from the high school during the 2013 – 2014 academic year for trying to sell marijuana.

The suspect was booked into Kitsap County Jail on charges of felony harassment and unlawful possession of a firearm.