Eastlake High briefly locks down after swatting incident

Eastlake High School in Western Washington was placed on lockdown on December 4, 2024, following a swatting call that falsely reported a threat. The incident occurred around 2:00 p. m. , affecting several hundred students who were still on campus for afterschool activities. Although the majority of students had already been dismissed, the timely response of Eastlake's administration and Sammamish police ensured the situation was quickly assessed.

Law enforcement confirmed the threat was a hoax originating from outside the region, allowing the school to lift the lockdown after approximately 20 minutes. Swatting incidents put innocent lives at risk and waste law enforcement resources, diverting them from real emergencies. The recent increase in such threats directed at schools highlights the need for enhanced safety measures. Prior to this incident, Eastlake had conducted lockdown drills, which likely contributed to the effective handling of the situation. Principal Todd Apple emphasized the importance of clear communication and practiced responses to minimize panic and prevent future copycat incidents.