UPDATE

We just received this email from Lawton’s Principal

January 17, 2013

Good afternoon Lawton Community,

Yesterday two incidents happened off- campus that raise safety concerns for us.  Safety, as always, is a priority for us and I want to communicate the information we know.

 The first issue was an armed robbery of US Bank in The Magnolia Village – there was an error made on the part of the police department that initially triggered lockdown at McClure Middle School in Queen Anne instead of Blaine K-8.  This rippled over and caused Coe Elementary in Queen Anne to be locked down as well given its proximity to McClure.   I spoke with the officer who made that call and he said he was trying to be proactive when he heard it over the radio – bypassing the more usual computer dispatch system that generates notices to schools.  Normally given the location of the robbery Lawton, Coe and McClure would not go on lockdown.

 The second incident involved a lower-elementary school student from Lawton walking from his bus stop to his home.  The boy was approaching his home and was followed by a juvenile male he did not recognize.  As the student entered his property he was grabbed on the nape of the neck.  The student ran and the assailant did not pursue.

 While the details and motivations behind the incident are not fully known, the student did the right things to keep himself safe:  Being aware of his surroundings; making a noise; pushing the person away; running to his house.   In addition, it is a good idea to work with your children in identifying safe houses on the block of families you know and, whenever possible, having students buddy up when walking.

 We are all grateful that the student is not hurt and safe.  Police do not report any geographic pattern to be present for incidents like this in Magnolia.  This incident happened about halfway between Lawton and Blaine’s campus.  As a school we have a strong record of safety and appreciate your partnership in helping maintain that.

 Sincerely,

Neil Gerrans

Lawton Principal

EARLIER

I don’t even know how to introduce this blog post.  As a parent, this strikes me to the core. Yesterday, there was a suspicious circumstance (edited) on 28th.  According to an incident report filed with the Seattle Police Department (as confirmed over the phone by Det. Mark Jamieson):

At approximately 3:30pm, near the corner of 28th W. and W. Fulton, the complainant a 7 y/o child was approached and grabbed from behind around his neck and by his backpack, as he walked up the steps to his front yard and home from the street level, after walking approximately a half block from his school bus stop.  The victim yelled “Hey” and hit at the suspect and the suspect released his hold and continued to head south down 28th Ave. W.  The suspect is described as a white male of medium build with dark or brown hair and was wearing dark pants and a blue sweatshirt.

The child’s father came out of the house and contacted SPD and filed a report. The suspect is still at large.