Bellingham Public Schools is aware of an off-campus assault that happened on Oct. 22. Upon being made aware, the school took immediate steps to secure medical assistance and called the police, who arrived soon thereafter.

We refer our community to law enforcement for any information they may have regarding the incident.

We continue our school-based investigation and continue to cooperate with the law enforcement investigation. The identity of the other individuals involved was originally unclear to school officials. As we have learned identities through our investigation, we have shared that information with police. Witnesses have stepped forward, and we continue to share additional info with police.

We are following our district policy and procedures regarding next steps for any involved individuals who are district students. We are unable to provide further details due to federal student confidentiality laws.

There has been an assumption that the alleged assailant is currently attending Bellingham High. This is not accurate.

Our staff were and continue to be very concerned about what happened to a student off-campus, especially given the alleged discriminatory motive behind the assault. No student deserves to be harmed or injured. We take seriously any acts of violence or threats to safety. We are committed to providing support, compassion and safe schools for all students.

We aren’t able to share specific information about any students, to honor their privacy and to comply with privacy law, but here are some steps we typically take to support our students who express concerns about safety and harassment: check in with them in person regularly, ask them what support they need and prefer, partner with their family to provide resources and support, and follow our district policies and procedures regarding safety and discrimination. For students who identify as LGBTQIA+, we also follow their lead to honor their privacy regarding their identity and their safety.

Students, parents or community members who have information, tips, or concerns regarding a safety issue connected to our schools are encouraged to text or call 844-310-9560 or visit bellinghamschools.org/safe for confidential, anonymous, two-way communication with our safety staff.

Bellingham Public Schools is committed to providing an educational environment that is free from sex discrimination, sex-based harassment and retaliation for engaging in any protected activity as required by federal and state laws for all students. We work hard every day to protect our students, including those who identify as LGBTQ+, and refer to our Title IX processes.