Throughout Virginia, from major urban centers like Richmond and Virginia Beach to smaller communities such as Danville and the counties of Smyth and Wise, a disturbing trend of school threats has emerged since the start of the academic year. These incidents, ranging from social media posts to direct communications, have prompted investigations in at least 35 cities or counties within the state. Authorities have largely deemed these threats unfounded, with some even originating from beyond state lines. Despite this, the unsettling phenomenon has left no area of Virginia unaffected.
Notably, these threats have not been confined to high schools or their students; individuals across a broad demographic spectrum have been implicated. For instance, in Manassas, authorities charged a 12-year-old girl after she used TikTok to make threatening remarks about her middle school. Similarly, in York County, a 14-year-old girl faced arrest and charges for her vow on social media to "shoot up the school." Both instances were ultimately determined by law enforcement to lack credibility.
In a particularly alarming case in Orange County, a firearm was discovered inside a six-year-old's backpack. The local sheriff's department later assured the community that there was no evidence suggesting the child intended to use the weapon or comprehended its significance. This matter remains under investigation.
Furthermore, seven young individuals have been apprehended by the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Department in connection with school-related threats. A collaborative statement from the department and Spotsylvania County Public Schools underscored the gravity of making such threats—verbal or written—which under Virginia law constitutes a serious crime punishable by severe penalties.
Virginia legislation stipulates that anyone found guilty of issuing a threat that could reasonably be perceived as endangering lives may face charges as severe as a class 6 felony—the least severe felony classification in Virginia—which concerns threats involving risk of death or serious injury. On the other hand, bomb hoaxes or jests can result in prosecution for those aged 15 and above under class 5 felony charges, carrying potential sentences of up to ten years imprisonment alongside hefty fines. Younger individuals involved may face class 1 misdemeanor charges.
Additionally, threats made with intent towards terrorism fall under class 5 felony offenses as well. Despite these ongoing issues and legal repercussions detailed by local authorities and schools alike, neither Attorney General Jason Miyares nor Governor Glenn Youngkin had issued public statements regarding these incidents at the time reporting concluded. Efforts to obtain comments from their offices remained unanswered ahead of publication.
Notably, these threats have not been confined to high schools or their students; individuals across a broad demographic spectrum have been implicated. For instance, in Manassas, authorities charged a 12-year-old girl after she used TikTok to make threatening remarks about her middle school. Similarly, in York County, a 14-year-old girl faced arrest and charges for her vow on social media to "shoot up the school." Both instances were ultimately determined by law enforcement to lack credibility.
In a particularly alarming case in Orange County, a firearm was discovered inside a six-year-old's backpack. The local sheriff's department later assured the community that there was no evidence suggesting the child intended to use the weapon or comprehended its significance. This matter remains under investigation.
Furthermore, seven young individuals have been apprehended by the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Department in connection with school-related threats. A collaborative statement from the department and Spotsylvania County Public Schools underscored the gravity of making such threats—verbal or written—which under Virginia law constitutes a serious crime punishable by severe penalties.
Virginia legislation stipulates that anyone found guilty of issuing a threat that could reasonably be perceived as endangering lives may face charges as severe as a class 6 felony—the least severe felony classification in Virginia—which concerns threats involving risk of death or serious injury. On the other hand, bomb hoaxes or jests can result in prosecution for those aged 15 and above under class 5 felony charges, carrying potential sentences of up to ten years imprisonment alongside hefty fines. Younger individuals involved may face class 1 misdemeanor charges.
Additionally, threats made with intent towards terrorism fall under class 5 felony offenses as well. Despite these ongoing issues and legal repercussions detailed by local authorities and schools alike, neither Attorney General Jason Miyares nor Governor Glenn Youngkin had issued public statements regarding these incidents at the time reporting concluded. Efforts to obtain comments from their offices remained unanswered ahead of publication.
