Vulgar Facebook Posting From Skyview Parent Stirs Emotions at Camas High; Leads to Police Investigation

Camas High School, CAMAS, WA — A verbal altercation, which led to a vulgar Facebook posting after Tuesday night’s Boys Varsity basketball game between Camas and Skyview High Schools has led to a police investigation, and made Wednesday an extremely taxing day for school administrators.

Camas High School (CHS) Athletic Director Josh Gibson said a Skyview parent became unruly post-game and said some “vulgar things” to several Camas fans. No players were involved.

“As I was helping wrap up the game I heard somebody yell out ‘Josh’ so that got my attention,” Gibson said. “I really don’t know exactly what was said, but the parent flipped off kids, and said some vulgar things about the fans. There was a mob of kids, and some of them grabbed me.”

Gibson said his first instinct was to protect the kids.

“We need them to be safe,” he said. “I had to get through the crowd to discover what happened, and eventually we went outside.”

Gibson said emotions were high and several people kept trying to get his attention, and that’s when a parent showed him the Skyview parent’s Facebook posting on their iPhone.

The post read: “Camas fans!!!!!! Worst in the league!!!! I hope someone shoots up their school really soon!!!!!!!”

 

Camas High School principal, Steve Marshall, left, and Athletic Director, Josh Gibson, discuss Tuesday’s incident inside the CHS Gym.

 

This is the Facebook post that led to a police investigation.

Gibson said it was hard to believe someone would say something that stupid; that awful.

And it was serious enough that school officials were obligated to notify the police.

CHS Principal Steve Marshall said he and Gibson notified the police via email and phone because of the severity of the situation.

“It’s totally unfortunate,” said Marshall. “One parent loses control and we all have to spend time dealing with it. This situation absorbed my entire day, Josh’s entire day, and involved the Skyview principal, school district administrators, and the police.”

Marshall said CHS administrators had to discuss the situation and coordinate their understanding with their counterparts at Skyview and liaisons at both school districts.

“We had to make sure our response was coordinated and that we all understood each other,” Marshall said. “It took us all day. This took time away from working with students and faculty. It took time away from our regular jobs. It’s just so unfortunate.”

Marshall said it is incidents like these where “we analyze our response and look at how we can improve things.”

Marshall also said he spent a lot of time talking to parents who were worried for their children’s safety.

“In light of the Sandy Hook school shooting, people are nervous, and understandably so,” said Marshall. “You look at what this man has caused, and I’m sure he’s regretting his actions. A few words have a lasting impact.”

Gibson said “the whole day has been awful – we’re all exhausted.”

Local police officials said the Skyview parent and his son, a Skyview basketball player, both gave statements and are cooperating with authorities, said Clark County sheriff’s Sgt. Fred Neiman.

It’s not known if the parent will face any charges.

“We in law enforcement cannot afford to ignore them,” Neiman said, in reference to recent shootings.

Camas administrators said they are waiting for police to conclude their investigation.

“It’s been a long day,” said Gibson. “What happened was awful.”