Bothell High School staff member assaulted; classes canceled Friday as police investigate



BOTHELL, Wash. -- A male Bothell High School staff member was assaulted Thursday and taken to the hospital, Bothell Police said.

Police cleared the campus to search for the suspect or suspects, he said. But the department tweeted later that the K-9 track failed to find the suspect.

Police Sgt. Cedric Collins, the department's public information officer, said officers were called to the school at about 4:20 p.m., after a school staff member saw another staff member "stumbling" near the wood shop area and then fall to the ground.

The victim, who was bleeding from his head, was "in and out of consciousness" and may not have known what happened, Collins said. The victim was taken to Seattle Harborview Medical Center, but Collins said he did not know what kind of injury the victim suffered or the extent of the injury.

According to The Associated Press, the 63-year-old victim was listed in serious condition at Harborview Thursday night.

The high school was locked down during the unsuccessful police search for a suspect or suspects.

The Northshore School District announced Thursday night that the high school will remain closed Friday.

"After school this afternoon, a staff member was transported to the hospital due to an assault from an unknown suspect," the district said. "Police put the school in lockdown as part of its investigation and lifted that lockdown before 7 p.m. Staff and students who were on campus did an excellent job following safety protocols during the incident.

"This is an active police investigation, and as a result, Bothell High School is closed tomorrow, Friday, May 20. Also, because this is an active investigation, we ask that all students remain off campus tomorrow. Thank you."

Police released no other details, saying the investigation is still in the early stages.