SPOKANE — A 16-year-old boy who police say walked into a classroom with his hands extended as if clasping a pistol and told a teacher he had been hired to kill her soon found himself in handcuffs and his school in lockdown.

Spokane County sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan says the Mead High School junior later told deputies his action was meant to be a joke.

Investigators said the teacher ran from the classroom after the boy confronted her at about 8:40 a.m. Wednesday and he walked out after her. A dozen deputies hit their emergency lights and sirens and raced to the school after the threat was reported to 911.

The Spokesman-Review says Deputy David Trautman got the boy's description from students who remained in the classroom, located him in a hallway, handcuffed and searched him. No weapon was found. The teen has been booked into Spokane County juvenile detention for investigation of harassment-threat to kill.

The north Spokane County school district did not immediately say whether the boy would be suspended or expelled.