Why were two North Thurston schools locked out Tuesday? Here’s what we know

Two North Thurston Public Schools were briefly locked out Tuesday morning because of police activity in the area, a spokeswoman for the district said.

About 11 a.m., Komachin Middle School at College Street and 37th Avenue and Mountain View Elementary at College Street and 22nd Avenue were locked out for about 30 minutes, district spokesperson Amy Blondin said.

A “lock out” takes place when there is a potential external threat to a school; a “lock down” occurs when there is a potential internal threat to a school that causes students and staff to find safety inside the school.

Police responded to an area at College Street and Belair Drive Southeast, which is between the two schools.

Lacey police Sgt. Jeremy Knight said Wednesday that the police activity near the schools was tied to the investigation into a recent double homicide.

This story was originally published November 18, 2025 at 4:15 PM.