Over 500 high school students were absent from Auburn Riverside High School in Washington state on Tuesday following a disruptive incident that occurred the previous day. The Auburn School District confirmed that 532 students were absent, attributing the high number to the widely publicized incident that had shaken the tight-knit school community. According to a spokesperson from the school district, "We had an incident on Monday that has been widely publicized that has contributed to the number of students absent at that school [Tuesday]."

The incident in question involved a small group of masked individuals who caused havoc during the school day. The Auburn Police Department revealed that the intruders, totaling five in number, approached a side door of the school building at around 1 p.m. Once inside, they proceeded to run through the halls, pushing four students and physically assaulting another. The chaos that ensued prompted widespread fear among the students, with many describing a scene of people running and panic spreading throughout the school.

Brandy Garber, a concerned parent whose daughter attends Auburn Riverside High School, made the difficult decision to keep her daughter at home following the incident. Garber shared her daughter's fear, stating, "She's scared. Then on the other side of it, she wants to go to school because she feels like her grades are dropping with me keeping her out. But as a parent, what do you do?" The sentiment expressed by Garber reflects the dilemma faced by many parents who must balance their children's safety with their education.

In response to the chaos, school administrators acted swiftly, chasing the intruders out of the building. The Auburn Police Department commended the administrators' quick response, stating, "Administrators chased them and got them out of the building pretty fast." Law enforcement officers believe that the incident is connected to a fight that occurred on school grounds the previous week, suggesting a possible motive for the disruptive behavior.

Following the incident, Auburn Riverside High School implemented a "secure and teach" lockdown for the remainder of the day. This lockdown involved the closure and locking of exterior and interior doors, with students remaining in their designated classrooms. Additionally, as a precautionary measure, extra police officers were present on campus, including during football games throughout the week.

The superintendent of Auburn Riverside, Dr. Alan Spicciati, expressed his deep concern and promised to take strong action in response to the incident. "We have a lot of students and families upset about this. I'm upset. And we are going to take some very serious action because when you make choices, there is accountability," stated Dr. Spicciati. This strong stance by the school administration reflects their commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of their students.

Authorities are currently conducting an investigation into the incident, as the masked individuals were not authorized to be on campus. The motives behind their disruptive behavior and assault remain under scrutiny. As the community awaits the outcome of the investigation, both students and parents are grappling with the emotional aftermath of the incident, hoping that swift and appropriate action will be taken to prevent any future disruptions and restore a sense of security within the school.