Puyallup Teacher Accused In Shooting Threat Charged With Felony

PUYALLUP, WA — An Emerald Ridge High School teacher was charged with felony harassment Thursday after threatening to shoot students during a phone call earlier in the week, according to Pierce County prosecutors. Court documents said 58-year-old Julie Hillend-Jones called Puget Sound Workers Tuesday night to discuss a worker's compensation complaint related to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The call-taker told Hillend-Jones that her complaint would likely not be covered, and may have to be handled through her insurance company. According to prosecutors, she became upset and told the call-taker, "I'm gonna shoot the kids." When asked to clarify, Hillend-Jones repeated the threat a second time. The employee hung up and called 911, telling a dispatcher the statement sounded serious. A school resource officer informed the Emerald Ridge principal, who immediately placed the teacher on administrative leave.

When deputies visited the teacher's home on Wednesday morning, her husband told them his wife was unwell. According to court filings, Hillend-Jones confirmed she had made the threat during a phone call and had repeated the statement in a three-page written document. Investigators said Hillend-Jones had other incidents earlier in the school year, including storming out of an evaluation meeting and using profanity when speaking to students.

Prosecutors asked the court set bail at $50,000 and bar Hillend-Jones from Emerald Ridge High School property, and any contact with school students or staff.