A line of students and community members gathered outside Mark Morris High School early Tuesday morning, calling for accountability following allegations of sexual assault involving students. The protest emerged just hours before the Longview Police Department confirmed it is investigating reports of criminal conduct between minors associated with the school.

In a statement released Tuesday evening, Longview Police Captain Tim Watson said, “These claims are of a serious and sensitive nature, especially since they reportedly involve juveniles. Due to this, LPD will not comment further until all allegations are thoroughly investigated.” No further details—including the number of students involved or the nature of the investigation—were shared.

Protesters held handmade signs reading “Silence is Complicity,” “Support Victims Not Abusers,” and “Shame on Mark Morris.” Several participants said they felt school officials had not adequately responded to earlier reports of misconduct. The Longview School District has not yet issued a public statement regarding the incident or the protest, though district administrators were seen monitoring the demonstration from school grounds.

Mark Morris High School and Longview Police have previously coordinated on student safety matters, including public communication around a January investigation into an unsubstantiated social media threat that led to a temporary police presence near the campus.

Update

The Cowlitz County Prosecutor’s Office announced that it will not handle the complaint connected to the Mark Morris High School sexual assault investigation, citing prior personnel connections. Prosecuting Attorney Ryan Jurvakainen said his office received the referral from the Longview Police Department on Monday and determined that an independent review was necessary due to potential conflicts involving members of his staff.

The case has been referred to the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office, which will now review the evidence and decide whether criminal charges are warranted. Jurvakainen’s statement also marked the first public acknowledgement that the complaint is connected to the Mark Morris High School basketball team.

New Developments

The Longview Police Department has now confirmed that detectives served a search warrant to Longview Public Schools as part of the continuing investigation into alleged criminal misconduct involving members of the Mark Morris High School basketball team. Investigation Division Commander Branden McNew said the warrant was a standard step in information gathering and emphasized that investigators are maintaining a careful balance between transparency and confidentiality.

McNew explained that police do not typically release investigative details during active cases. However, due to the significant community interest and the involvement of juveniles, the department is confirming certain procedural steps while withholding specific findings to preserve the case’s integrity and the privacy of those involved. Police Chief Robert Huhta reiterated that the allegations are being treated with the seriousness and sensitivity they deserve and encouraged anyone with direct knowledge or information to contact the Longview Police Department.

Why this matters

For Longview families, the current allegations highlight the sensitive balance between confidentiality protections for minors and the community’s expectation for transparency and care in handling reports of sexual harm. While official information remains limited, the demonstration outside Mark Morris underscores students’ willingness to speak publicly on issues of trust, safety, and institutional response—topics that frequently test the boundaries of communication between schools, law enforcement, and parents.

As of publication, no criminal charges have been announced. Police ask anyone with credible information relevant to the case to contact the Longview Police Department through its non-emergency line or official tip channels.

Sources:
Classic Hits 100.7 KLOG: “Protest Outside of Mark Morris High School And Criminal Conduct Investigation”
Classic Hits 100.7 KLOG: “Clark County Prosecutor’s Office Taking Over Mark Morris Sexual Assault Complaint”
Classic Hits 100.7 KLOG: “Longview PD Provides Update on Mark Morris Basketball Criminal Misconduct Investigation”