An LBHS student who posted a seven second clip on Snapchat calling on people to help him shoot protesters in Twisp has apologized.
The student, identified by MVSD as Gavin Mcauliffe, filmed himself in a moving vehicle saying, “There’s some fu*** protesters in Twisp. Who wants to come help me shoot all those faggots?”
The video was reported by another student to her parents, who shared the video out of concern for public safety. The Examiner obtained and reviewed the video.
The video was filmed during mid-winter break, according to Superintendent Tom Venable, who spoke to law enforcement and sent the following statement to a concerned citizen:
“Based upon the information shared with me by law enforcement, it was determined that there is no credible threat to our students and school staff. If it had been determined that the threat had occurred within the context of the school day and/or was directed at the school, students and/or staff, it would have prompted an immediate response by the schools in coordination with law enforcement, consistent with our Emergency Operations Procedures.”
In a letter from MVSD dated March 10, under the subtitle “Every Student Shines,” Mcauliffe shared his apology:
I want to take accountability for the video I posted during mid winter break. I realize that what I said wasn’t the best choice of words. I could have used different words to convey what I was feeling. While stopped at an intersection in Twisp, protesters stepped off the sidewalk into the street, approached my vehicle and shouted at me while I was driving. If I could go back in time, I would have not posted a video at all. I wish I had just talked to my parents about what I was feeling. I wish I had chosen different words to express how that situation made me feel and not have used any hate speech. It wasn’t my intent to scare people and make them feel uncomfortable. I tend to speak before I think, which has gotten me in trouble in the past and I take accountability for how it impacts other people. I regretted posting the video as soon as I did and I took it down within an hour. I do not intend to shoot or harm anyone.
The letter was signed by LBHS Principal Elyse Darwood, LBHS Assistant Principal Michael Wilbur, ILC Principal Sara Mounsey, MVE Principal Paul Gutzler and Student Gavin Mcauliffe.
Thanks for breaking this story. I am astonished that neither the town nor local law enforcement agencies have issued any statement regarding this incident.
I agree Greg
Someone who makes a threat like that should be kept on eye on regardless of an apology.
That the threat was made to those in the general community was the reason for doing nothing more than make an apology.
There should be police monitoring.
Too many boys have gone on to do violence.