Eagle County schools remain open as law enforcement investigation into targeted threats continues

Eagle County School District schools remain open Tuesday despite an ongoing law enforcement investigation into a new threat that emerged on Monday afternoon with the publication of a list containing the names of Eagle Valley High School students.

“We will continue with classes and after-school activities as scheduled, with an increased police presence out of an abundance of caution,” said Eagle County School District Superintendent Phil Qualman in an email to staff and families around 8 a.m. on Tuesday. “Law enforcement is continuing to look into yesterday’s social media threat involving Eagle Valley High School, but there is no additional information to share at this time.”

In the email, Qualman reaffirmed the district’s statement from Monday that the initial threat, which emerged on Sunday, was a “swatting” incident — a targeted prank call meant to incite an armed reaction from law enforcement.

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While many students returned to school on Tuesday after staying home on Monday, some parents chose to keep their children home another day as the investigation into Monday afternoon’s threat continues.

“If you decide to keep your students home from school today, please contact your school’s front office,” Qualman said in the email. “If we have anything new to share, we will send out information at that time to keep families and staff members informed as best we can.”

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A joint statement released over social media by the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office and the Eagle Police Department just after 11 a.m. on Tuesday reassured community members that “we take these alarming social media posts listing kids’ names from specific schools seriously.”

The investigation, which involves the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office, the Eagle Police Department and federal agencies, is ongoing. Eagle County is one of at least three counties in Colorado that are “currently investigating similar reports,” the social media post said.

In the meantime, increased patrols at schools will remain in place, “and critical updates will be posted as they become available as we remain in contact with Eagle County School District,” the post said.

The post warned against disseminating threatening messages over social media, even in the name of raising awareness.

“We encourage community members who see or receive any harmful messaging to report it to law enforcement directly. Sharing of these posts online can lead to the spread of misinformation, fear, or further unnecessary harm and may not be seen by the law enforcement officials tasked with conducting the investigation,” the post said.

The Sheriff’s Office and Eagle Police statement encouraged those with information to call the Vail Public Safety Communications Center non-emergency line at 970-479-2201 or to anonymously submit a tip to Eagle County Crime Stoppers online at http://www.P3Tips.com or by using the Free ‘P3 Tips’ mobile app. “If your tip leads to the arrest and indictment of any suspect involved, you could earn a cash reward from the Eagle County Crime Stoppers,” the post said.

In his email, Qualman suggested that families take advantage of the counselors and therapists offered through Your Hope Center, who can be reached in schools or by calling 970-306-4673 (HOPE).

The Sheriff’s Office and Eagle Police statement also pointed toward mental health resources through Vail Health Behavioral Health at https://ww.VailHealthBH.org or by calling 844-493-8255 for local 24/7 crisis response.