Police: Seattle officers searching for man who 'threatened to harm someone' at middle school



SEATTLE -- Seattle police said Wednesday they were searching for a 26-year-old man who they believe "threatened to harm someone" at Meany Middle School.

Police said Leonardo Rivera walked up to the school Monday morning claiming he had a knife and imitating a gun with his hand.

School security escorted Rivera off the property. School staff then called police.

Detectives say Rivera was walking across the playfield near Meany Middle School Monday at about 8:45 am when he encountered some students.

“He approaches the kids and he talks about Jesus, he said I have a knife and then he talked to the kids about going into the school and shooting the kids. The scary part about this is that not only did he talk about it, he actually followed the kids into the school,” said retired Det. Myrle Carner with Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound.

A staff member confronted Rivera to ask him why he was there and he claimed it was because his daughter was a student and was being teased by classmates and chased with a Taser. School staff quickly figured out Rivera had no daughter registered at the school and told him to leave.

At that time, he began to say odd things including that he was 'The King', 'God', 'Jesus' and finally, the 'Arch Angel'.

The staff didn't know about the threats Rivera had made until after he left and the kids came forward to describe what had happened.

Rivera has an extensive arrest record in Florida with several arrests for Resisting a Police Officer and one for Carrying a concealed weapon-unlicensed electronic device. He is 6'0" and weighs 145 lbs. Officers say he has short black hair in a dreadlock style.

If you spot him, call 911. If you know where police can find him, submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers by using the P3 Tips App on your phone or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)