CHENEY, Wash. — A 16-year-old boy is in custody after creating three homemade bombs and threatening to use them at the WIN Academy in Cheney.
On Nov. 15 around 2:50 p.m., the Cheney Police Department received a call about a bomb threat made by a 16-year-old boy.
A mental health worker told police that a boy, who attends WIN Academy, mentioned to a staff member that he made three explosive devices and intended to use them at the school.
This worker told the boy’s mother to enroll her son at Inland Northwest Behavioral Health (INBH) due to these threats.
Cheney police worked with the Airway Heights Police Department, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad, Fairchild 92nd Security Forces and the City of Spokane Police Department to locate these homemade bombs.
As the boy was in custody, a Military Working Dog that specializes in explosive detection was taken to search the WIN Academy and Cheney Middle School to make sure it was clear.
The boy told an INBH therapist that one of the bombs he made was at his girlfriends house, the second was at his father’s house and the third device was lost.
While searching both those homes, law enforcement found two homemade bombs. The boy’s mother told officers that third bomb could be at his friend’s house in a black Adidas backpack.
All three bombs were located and disarmed. They were said to be “‘commercial mortar’ like those used in firework displays… surrounded by bb’s or ball bearings and wrapped in tinfoil.”
The 16-year-old boy remains in custody.
Following this incident, Cheney Public Schools released a statement to all parents and faculty:
“Our top priority is the safety and security of our students, families, and staff. Wednesday evening, the District was alerted by local law enforcement about a possible bomb threat that targeted WIN Academy. Law enforcement has identified the individual responsible for the threat. Working with local law enforcement, WIN Academy was searched and cleared of any possible danger related to the threat. Out of an abundance of caution, Cheney Middle School and Transportation were also searched and cleared. Per law enforcement, our district and schools are safe to resume normal operations Thursday… We will continue to monitor the situation, and we will provide updates if necessary.”
This is an ongoing investigation. Information will be updated as we learn more.
