EDMONDS, Washington (STPNS) -- Lynnwood Police received tips late Thursday, April 12, that someone had made threats online (see graphic) to harm students at Meadowdale High School the following day, Friday, April 13.

The threat was communicated anonymously over an Internet forum. Several tips followed the first from different people across the U.S. who viewed this single, anonymous threat.

Lynnwood Police contacted officials at the Edmonds School District, who made the decision to close Meadowdale.

“We are utilizing all resources to find the source of these threats, including notifying the F.B.I.,” said Shannon Sessions of the Lynnwood Police Information Office.



Meanwhile, the Edmonds School District said this on their website:

Meadowdale HS (ONLY) will be closed Friday, April 13.

As a result of information received from Lynnwood Police late Thursday, we are canceling school at Meadowdale High (only) for Friday, April 13.

MDH families and staff received a voicemail regarding this cancellation beginning at 4:30 a.m.

We take this information seriously, and will provide additional information as it is available.

The Beacon put the graphic from online up on its website and asked the public to contact Lynnwood Police if they recognized anything in the picture.

It didn’t take long for citizen sleuths to discover that the picture was actually taken a number of years ago for a gun sale on the East Coast.

The Beacon received this email from a reader named Wyatt:

“The news article said that if anyone knew what the picture was from to report it.

I cleaned up the pixels and ran a reverse image search and found that the picture originally came from a gun auction is Massachusetts.

http://www.gunauction.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=9843383.

That gun wasn't invented until 1919, let alone 1902, but I suppose that is beside the point.

I'll send an email to the police department with the same info, just thought I would let the Beacon know also as I've been a reader and supporter for many years.

Wyatt”

But Wyatt wasn’t the only sharp Beacon reader.

Within minutes, another reader, Anthony, had this to say:

“Hey, I found the picture on this website of the "Gun" that was going to be used for that school shooting. Just thought I would share information with you guys.

http://www.gunauction.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=9843383 <--- That is the link to the website I found the picture on. It’s a gun auction website and it’s not even a real Thompson, its a non-firing replica.

Welcome! Have a nice day.

-Anthony”

Meadowdale High School officials sent out the following email later Friday to parents about resuming school Monday at Meadowdale High School:

To MHS Families

The following information is an update regarding the closure of Meadowdale High (4/13/12) due to the anonymous threat made over an Internet forum.

Several tips were received by Lynnwood Police, and they continue to work this case.  

Federal agencies are assisting in identifying the person or persons responsible.

At this time, the police have not identified a suspect and are continuing their investigation.

We will remain in contact with law enforcement and share any further information when it becomes available.  

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Detective Scott Dilworth at 425-670-5619.

We did receive information this afternoon from law enforcement that we are not able to share as it is part of the ongoing police investigation.

With this, we are confident to resume our normal school schedule on Monday.

Student safety is always our first priority. We appreciate your understanding in this situation.

Detectives continue to work this case and have reached out to federal agencies to assist efforts in identifying the person or persons responsible for this threat.

At this time the police have not identified a suspect but are continuing their investigation.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Detective Scott Dilworth at 425-670-5619.

If you have any information about this crime, call Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound at 1-800-222-TIPS or TEXT: FYI + the message to 274637 (CRIMES) and send in your anonymous crime tip.

All tips are confidential, and you could earn cash reward of up to $1,000.