A member of the support staff at Billings West High School received a phone call around 7:50am on the 18th with the caller making threats of a possible shooter at West High, which were immediately reported to the West High School Resource Officer who then notified the Billings Police Department. This prompted West High Principal Hornby to put the school in full lockdown, with the Career Center also being place in lockdown as it is believed there may have been a connection.
After investigating these threats, police discovered they had originated from a “suspect/student” at Laurel High School. Laurel High’s Resource Officer was notified and they were able to make contact with the suspect. After the suspect was contacted around 8:45am, the lockdowns at West High and the Career Center were lifted. No additional information has been released, including the suspect’s identity as they are presumably underage. This marks the latest in a string of threats and lockdowns at schools around the state and the fourth in Billings in a short period of time.
