Pleasant Glade Elementary evacuated due to threat

Students, teachers and staff members were evacuated from Pleasant Glade Elementary School just outside of Lacey about noon Friday due to a threat.

“A white male dressed in gray shirt, brown pants and black shoes came into the school front desk and left a suspicious item indicating it was an explosive device and (saying) there were additional explosive devices planted through the school,” said Sgt. Carla Carter, a spokeswoman for the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.

She said the electronic device did not appear to be explosive, however it was later destroyed at the scene. No other devices were found during an initial sweep of the school at 1920 Abernathy Road NE, Lacey.

Students were bused about a mile to the North Thurston High School annex, which is the former Bally’s Fitness Center, for reunification with their parents, according to school district spokeswoman Courtney Schrieve.

Lacey Police, Lacey Fire, the Washington State Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives responded to the scene.

The device has been destroyed, the sheriff’s office reported.

This story was originally published April 14, 2017 at 12:17 PM with the headline "Pleasant Glade Elementary evacuated due to threat."