5 charges filed against Washington teen in school shooting

SEATTLE (AP) — Five charges have been filed in juvenile court against the 16-year-old accused of firing a gun inside his Washington state high school.

The student is scheduled to be arraigned on May 11 in connection with Monday's shooting at North Thurston High School in Lacey, Washington, about 60 miles southwest of Seattle.

No one was injured in the shooting, thanks in part to the fast action of a teacher at the school, who tackled the student after he fired two shots. Police say the boy fired two shots in the air at North Thurston High School on Monday before government teacher Brady Olson tackled him and a few other staff members helped hold him down until officers arrived. The boy, a recent transfer to the school, reportedly told detectives he didn’t intend to hurt any other students.

Lacey Police Commander Jim Mack said a school safety officer had his weapon drawn and was preparing to shoot the student when he was tackled.

“He’s very fortunate, because the officer was prepared to use his firearm at the school,” Mack said.



The charges filed Wednesday include theft of a firearm, felony harassment, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm on school property and illegally discharging a firearm.

Bail has been set at $500,000 for the boy who is being held in Thurston County. He has been scheduled for a mental health evaluation.