Re. “Ex-student charged with making ‘threats to kill,’ ” page A1, Sept. 12 Herald.

It may be that if you had not reported your concerns regarding Matthew Smiley’s threats to “shoot up the school,” nothing would have come of it. It may be that Mr. Smiley was just venting and his threats were empty and that he would never have set foot on the Kingston High School campus again.

Or, it may be that he was just venting with no serious intent, but that his words planted a dangerous seed within himself and/or his close friends. It may be that one of these individuals would have come onto hard times and considered turning these “harmless” words into action. It may be that such consideration would come to nothing — just disturbing thoughts in a dark time.

Or it may be that the threats and posturing were the first step toward a Columbine-level tragedy here in North Kitsap.

We will never know — and more to the point, you could not have known.

That you elected to come forward with your concerns may have done nothing more than cause Smiley and his friends a whole lot of legal strife that they would not otherwise have endured. Or it may be that you saved my son’s life.

Thank you for making the choice to err on the side of safety. I know it could not have been an easy decision and that the fallout has been difficult for you to say the least. I believe every student at that school and their families owe you a debt for making the brave choice.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Kristina Vernik
Parent of a KHS student
Poulsbo