Virginia School Safety News

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• 6/24/24 - Elementary school teacher assaults 3 kids in Virginia: police - FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. - A Fairfax County Public Schools special education teacher has been charged with seven misdemeanors for allegedly abusing multiple students.

• 5/30/24 - Phoebus High student arrested after being found with gun, police say - HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — A 16-year-old student faces charges after bringing a gun onto campus at Phoebus High School, with its principal stressing that no one was in any danger.

• 5/25/24 - Manassas High School Student Charged for Possessing Weapon on Campus - MANASSAS, VA – A 15-year-old male student has been charged after being found with a weapon on school grounds. The incident occurred at Unity Reid High School, located at 8820 Rixlew Ln., where the student was discovered with a folding knife by school security during an unrelated investigation.

• 5/7/24 - Richmond preschooler brings a loaded gun to school - RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Community members are reacting after a Richmond preschooler brought a loaded gun to school.

• 4/10/24 - Ex-assistant principal charged with child neglect in case of boy who shot teacher - NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — A former assistant principal at a Virginia elementary school has been charged with felony child neglect more than a year after a 6-year-old boy brought a gun to class and shot his first-grade teacher.

• 4/5/24 - Mom charged after elementary student brings gun to school in Alexandria - Alexa Dickens, 31, has been charged with allowing access to firearms by children, a class 1 misdemeanor.

• 3/13/24 - School placed on lockdown after gun confiscated from student - An Arlington school went into lockdown Wednesday after a student reportedly brought a gun to school.

• 3/6/24 - Franklin 5-year-old brought gun to school, police say - Police say the gun was unloaded and found in the student's bookbag after a search at S. P. Morton Elementary School.

• 3/4/24 - Elementary student brings loaded gun to school; Alexandria police investigating - ALEXANDRIA, Va. (7News) — Alexandria Police Department is investigating after they say an elementary school student brought a loaded gun to school Friday.

• 3/2/24 - Loaded handgun found in elementary student’s backpack - An elementary school student brought a relative’s loaded Ruger 9mm handgun to school on Friday, according to a Saturday press release by the Alexandria Police Department and police scanner traffic from openmhz.com.

• 3/2/24 - Elementary student brings loaded gun to school: Alexandria Police investigating - ALEXANDRIA, Va. (7News) — Alexandria Police are investigating after they say an elementary school student brought a loaded gun to school Friday.

• 2/22/24 - 35-year-old arrested and federally charged for making threats toward Roanoke City Schools - ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR)—The United States Department of Justice reports a 35-year-old man was arrested for threatening students at Patrick Henry High School over social media.

• 2/22/24 - Second grade student brings loaded gun to Richmond school - RICHMOND, Va. -- A second grade student brought a loaded gun to Oak Grove/Bellemeade Elementary School on Tuesday, Richmond Public Schools Chief Wellness Officer Renee Parks told the Richmond School Board in a Tuesday email obtained by CBS 6.

• 2/8/24 - Student brings weapon to school in Buckingham County - BUCKINGHAM COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A student brought a weapon to a Buckingham County school Thursday morning.

• 1/4/24 - Virginia Beach student could be charged for allegedly bringing knife to Kempsville High - VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A Virginia Beach student is accused of bringing a weapon to school.h School - 

• 12/13/23 - Unattended gun found in middle school bathroom - ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - An unattended gun was found in a restroom at Hidden Valley Middle School during a basketball game versus William Byrd Middle School Wednesday.

• 12/9/23 - Two taken into custody after “concerning” social media posts involving gun - ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - Two individuals were taken into custody Friday after “concerning” social media posts.

• 12/3/23 - Virginia city school board receives death threat after rejecting LGBTQ+ safe space grant - LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — The Lynchburg City School Board is facing a death threat in the wake of their decision to reject a grant acquired by an LGBTQ+ club that would have provided a safe space at E.C. Glass High School.

• 11/21/23 - Charlottesville High students and teachers at their breaking point with fights, lockdowns and adults trespassing on campus - Teachers are fed up with the volume of fights, and lack of accountability, that have happened in the high school recently, said David Wilkerson, a counselor at CHS. Thursday alone, two fights broke out.

• 11/17/23 - The kids are not all right: Violence, intruders and chaos at Charlottesville High School - Things are not OK at Charlottesville High School.  On Friday, classes were abruptly canceled when teachers did not show up to work. The decision by so many school employees to call out appears to have been prompted by a series of wild student brawls that occurred the day before.

• 11/8/23 - Student Hospitalized After Assault At Stafford High School: Police - STAFFORD COUNTY, VA — A student was injured in an assault at Stafford High School on Wednesday morning, the county sheriff's office said.

• 10/26/23 - VBPD: Student at Green Run High brought gun to school - VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A 16-year-old Green Run High School student was found with a handgun and ammunition Thursday morning, police said.

• 10/20/23 - Four weapons found by scanners in Henrico schools in first couple months after installation - HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Four weapons have been found between two high schools in the first two months after new security systems were installed at schools across Henrico County.

• 10/3/23 - Middle schooler's jaw broken by punch in gym class; parents share alarm over school discipline issue - Worried parents gathered Tuesday to talk about a troubling start to the school year in Front Royal, Virginia. At least one middle schooler landed in an emergency room, and there are concerns about other discipline issues, especially at Skyline Middle School.

• 9/14/23 - Data reveals bullying reports statewide surpass pre-pandemic levels - LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. – When a student died by suicide last year, his family said they weren’t informed by school administrators of his cries for help until after his death.

• 8/24/23 - At least 2 were hurt in shooting near Kempsville High School football game Thursday - It happened in the 5000 block of John Smith Court, right next to the high school during a football game.

• 8/23/23 - 10 News Investigates: Addressing school gun violence - GOODE, Va. – Schools across Southwest, Central, and Southside Virginia continue to beef up security to address gun violence in schools. Some parents are taking their child’s safety at school into their own hands by buying bullet-resistant protective gear for their child.

• 8/16/23 - What can be done to prevent swatting at Virginia schools? - The rising number of incidents is highlighted in a new report examining violence in schools.

• 8/9/23 - New details emerge on how 6-year-old boy who shot Virginia teacher got mom's gun - The 6-year-old boy who seriously wounded his teacher at a Virginia elementary school in January said in the aftermath that "I did it" and "I got my mom's gun last night," according to newly unsealed court documents.

• 8/8/23 - Number of teens committing violent crimes in Virginia on the rise, data reveals - When it comes to violent crimes in Virginia last year, children aged 11 to 17 years old made up 13 percent of all offenders, according to state data.

• 8/6/23 - 10 News Investigates: Back to school safety and security initiatives - 10 News reached out to all 35 school divisions in our viewing area to find out how they’re keeping staff and students safe

• 7/29/23 - Roanoke City’s Vice-Mayor speaks on the recent gun violence in the Star City - ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — Roanoke City Police say violence in the city is down 9%; however, in the past nine days, WFXR has reported about six stories involving gun violence — some of which have been deadly.

• 7/22/23 - Two educators sue Newport News Schools, VDOE after 2021 school shooting - Two educators sue Newport News Schools

• 7/13/23 - Man facing child porn charges, previously convicted in Virginia Beach school bomb threat, appears in court - In court, it was revealed that the charges against Philip Bay stem from alleged explicit photos of children between the ages of 8 to 12 years old.

• 7/12/23 - Man allegedly brings gun to Gloucester school board meeting; ends in 2-hour lockdown - GLOUCESTER, Va. — A safety threat put a Gloucester County School Board meeting on lockdown for almost two hours.

• 7/7/23 - Augusta County to install weapon detectors at schools - VERONA — Students and visitors to Augusta County schools may notice additional safety measures in place beginning in the fall.

• 6/14/23 - Bomb threat at Prince William Co. elementary school prompts relocation of students; all clear given - BRISTOW, Va. - A bomb threat at a Prince William County elementary school prompted officials to relocate students Wednesday morning before an all clear was given.

• 6/7/23 - Virginia graduation shooting that killed teen, stepdad fueled by "ongoing dispute," police say - Two people were killed and five others wounded on Tuesday during a shooting outside a high school graduation ceremony in Richmond, Virginia, police said. 

• 5/31/23 - Student charged after gun found at John Rolfe Middle School in Henrico - HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A Henrico middle school student brought a gun to school on Wednesday afternoon, according to school officials.

• 5/19/23 - 12-year-old student from Blair Middle School charged after bringing gun to school - NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – A 12-year-old student at Blair Middle School has been charged after he allegedly brought a gun to school Thursday.

• 5/17/23 - Investigation continues into gun found inside Longdale Elementary School - GLEN ALLEN, Va. (WWBT) - A gun scare at one Glen Allen elementary school is raising concerns.

• 5/9/23 - Police: Student brought loaded gun, marijuana to Matoaca Middle School - CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- Chesterfield Police arrested a 13-year-old Matoaca Middle School student accused of bringing a loaded gun to school on Tuesday, police confirmed.

• 5/5/23 - 14-year-old facing several charges after bringing gun to middle school in Woodbridge - WOODBRIDGE, Va. — A 14-year-old is facing several charges after bringing a gun to a middle school in Prince William County Tuesday afternoon, police said.

• 5/2/23 - Orange County High School threat alert cancels classes and causes chaos - ORANGE COUNTY, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- On Tuesday, the Orange County High School received a social media threat just before the start of the school day.

• 4/30/23 -  Virginia High School Shooting Suspect Arrested - An 18-year-old is in police custody in Richmond, Virginia after he allegedly shot two students outside his high school. 

• 4/26/23 - 15-year-old arrested at York High School after making threat, officials say - YORKTOWN, Va. — A 15-year-old teenage boy was arrested on Wednesday by the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office for threatening harm toward his school. 

• 4/20/23 - Several bomb threats in Suffolk lead to evacuations of a school and a Chick-fil-A - Several agencies were called in to help deal with the threats, which were all determined to be false.

• 4/10/23 - Charges Filed Against Mother of 6-Year-Old Who Shot a Teacher - Prosecutors had previously decided not to charge the boy, a first grader who took the gun to his Newport News, Va., elementary school in January. 

• 4/6/23 - Students, parents warned of threat at Chatham High School - Parents and students at Chatham High School were alerted this morning about a possible shooting threat via social media.

• 3/13/23 - Richmond student charged after gun found at Boushall Middle School - RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A Richmond middle school student has been charged after being found with a gun at school Monday, police say.

• 3/13/23 - Student arrested, charged after found with gun at Richmond middle school - RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - The Richmond Police Department said a student at Boushall Middle School was found with a weapon at school Monday afternoon.

• 3/11/23 - Gun reported at Waynesboro school, student arrested - WAYNESBORO — Police arrested a juvenile Friday after an airsoft gun was reportedly brought onto school property, according to a release.

• 3/11/23 - Four Richmond children shot in the city in two separate incidents Friday night - RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Four Richmond children were shot in the city in two separate incidents Friday night. One child, a 13-year-old boy, was killed.

• 3/10/23 - Gunston Middle School locked down due to “written threat” - Gunston Middle School was locked down this afternoon due to a threat.  Arlington County police said the discovery of a “written threat” prompted the lockdown and investigation. The exact nature of the threat was not given.

• 3/9/23 - 6-year-old who allegedly shot Virginia teacher will not face charges, report says - NEWPORT NEWS, Virginia -- The 6-year-old boy who allegedly shot his elementary school teacher earlier this year will not be criminally charged, Newport News, Virginia, Commonwealth's Attorney Howard Gwynn told CNN affiliate WTKR.

• 3/7/23 - Violence in the classrooms forcing teachers to make tough decisions - HAMPTON ROADS, Va. – For the last several weeks, News 3 has been shedding light on the violence playing out in classrooms across Hampton Roads.

• 3/6/23 - No charges for student who brought BB gun to Virginia Beach middle school - VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — How are students punished when there are threats in school and weapons on campus?

• 2/27/23 - Middle school threat linked to a recent Richneck incident - NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) – Two Ella Fitzgerald Middle School students have been suspended following an investigation of a photo in which they appear to hold guns.

• 2/22/23 - Woodside High student brought gun to school - NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — A student at Woodside High School in Newport News is facing charges after administrators say a gun was discovered in his belongings.

• 2/21/23 - Bomb threat at Virginia school days after ‘Satan Club’ begins - CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — A Virginia school that’s recently made headlines due to a controversial after-school club is under lockdown following a bomb threat Tuesday morning.

• 2/20/23 - Richneck admin: 5th grader texted about “shooting up the class” - NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) – Richneck Elementary School’s new administrator sent a message to families Monday afternoon about a threat discovered over the weekend.

• 2/16/23 - Student brought gun to Little Creek Elementary School, Norfolk police say - NORFOLK, Va. — No one was hurt after a student reportedly brought a gun to school at Little Creek Elementary in Norfolk on Thursday.

• 2/14/23 - Steward School closes on Valentine’s Day after threat made - HENRICO, Va. (WWBT) -The Steward School is set to reopen Wednesday after a threat was made to the school on Valentine’s Day.

• 2/9/23 - Three Nottoway schools under lockdown after threat to middle school - NOTTOWAY COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Three Nottoway schools were placed under lockdown as police investigated a threat to the middle school on Thursday.

• 1/26/23 - 6th grader found with weapon at Virgina middle school - GREENSVILLE, Va. (WWBT) -A 6th-grade student at a Greensville middle school was removed from school Thursday after police say they found a weapon on him.

• 1/25/23 - 14-year-old arrested following threat made in connection with E.C. Glass lockdown - LYNCHBURG, Va. – UPDATE - 4:47 p.m. A 14-year-old boy was arrested in connection with a threatening phone call made to E.C. Glass High School, according to Lynchburg police.

• 1/20/23 - Henrico middle school student in custody after bringing gun to school - HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A Glen Allen middle school student is in custody after a gun was found in his backpack on Friday morning.

• 1/17/23 - Threat made to Harrisonburg High School - HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) - According to officials, a false threat was made to Harrisonburg High School (HHS) and the school was put on a soft-lockdown.

• 1/13/23 - School official learned 6-year-old might have weapon before shooting, superintendent says - RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Administrators at the Virginia school where a first-grader shot his teacher last week learned the child may have had a weapon in his possession before the shooting but did not find the 9mm handgun he brought despite searching his bag, the school system’s superintendent said.

• 1/11/23 - K-12 School Shooting Database founder says gun violence on school campuses escalating - NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) – A shooting inside of a Newport News elementary school classroom sent shockwaves through the community, prompting officials and the public to question how a 6-year-old could get a gun, and why he would intentionally shoot his first grade teacher.

• 1/10/23 - Teacher hailed as hero for hustling students out of classroom after she was shot by 6-year-old - NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- In the moments before a 6-year-old Virginia boy shot his teacher, there was no fight, no physical struggle and no warning, authorities said Monday.

• 1/6/23 - 6-Year-Old Shoots Teacher at Virginia Elementary School, Police Say - A teacher at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News has “life-threatening injuries” after being shot by one of her students, the authorities said.

• 1/6/23 - Man in custody after armed individual near school causes heavy police presence in Henrico County - HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A man is in custody after police found him with a weapon in the Glen Allen area on Friday afternoon, close to a Henrico school.

• 1/3/23 - Increased security after possible threats towards Menchville High School - NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Students at Menchville High School arrived to increased security measures on Tuesday after alleged threats were posted on social media, according to a Newport News Public Schools spokesperson.

• 12/2/22 - Virginia Beach police respond to report of weapon at middle school - VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Virginia Beach Police Department investigated a threat of a student with a weapon at a local middle school Friday. 

• 11/30/22 - Eighth weapon found at Henrico, Richmond or Chesterfield school since September - HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) – Two high school students are in juvenile detention after police said they brought guns to school on Monday, Nov. 28.

• 11/29/22 - Highland Springs students arrested with guns at school - HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- Police found a gun on a Highland Springs High School student when they arrested him in school Tuesday in connection to an October shooting.

• 11/14/22 - University of Virginia Shooting: Gunman in Custody After Killing Three Football Players - A UNIVERSITY OF Virginia student, Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., has been arrested in connection to a parking garage shooting that left three dead, and two injured at the university on Sunday night.

• 11/11/22 - Investigation underway after rumor of threat at John Battle High School, sheriff says - BRISTOL, Va. (WCYB) — An investigation is underway after a rumor of a threat at John Battle High School Friday morning, according to Washington County, Virginia Sheriff Blake Andis.

• 11/6/22 - Man who fled police responding to weapon complaint at elementary school hit by car on Dulles Toll Road - HERNDON, Va. - A suspect who was fleeing from police along the Dulles Toll Road in Fairfax County is in the hospital after being hit by a car.

• 11/4/22 - PCSO respond to look-alike weapon at Page County High School - PAGE COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - The Page County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) reported that on Nov. 4, SROs at the Page County Campus were alerted by school administration that a student at Page County High School was in possession of a look-alike weapon.

• 11/4/22 - Six weapons found within 2 months at Richmond, Chesterfield or Henrico schools - HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A Henrico teen is in custody in connection to an October shooting and is now facing more petitions after police said he brought a gun to Highland Springs High School Thursday.

• 10/30/22 - 2 Manassas students, 14, charged with possession of gun at school - MANASSAS, Va. — Two students were charged and arrested Friday with bringing a firearm at the Unity Reed High School in Manassas, Virginia, authorities said.

• 10/29/22 - 2 Manassas Students, 14, Charged With Possessing Gun at School - Two students were arrested and charged Friday with bringing a firearm onto the property of Unity Reed High School in Manassas, Virginia, police said.

• 10/26/22 - Norfolk Police charge student with possession of a firearm at Granby High School - NORFOLK, Va. (NPD) – Around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 26th, a school resource officer at Granby High School responded to the report of a student in possession of a weapon. During the investigation, a handgun was recovered from the backpack of a student.

• 10/25/22 - Second day of bomb threats reported at several schools - PORTSMOUTH, Va. — High schools in Portsmouth and Chesapeake, and Hertford County in North Carolina, were impacted by threats on Tuesday morning for the second consecutive day. These threats came a day after several schools across Hampton Roads reported bomb threats, which resulted in evacuations and early dismissals on Monday.

• 10/24/22 - Some area schools dismiss early due to bomb threats - HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) — Multiple Hampton Roads high schools received bomb threats Monday morning, including several in Chesapeake.

• 10/21/22 - Safety was top of mind for worried parents, students and district leaders after Lord Botetourt lockdown - BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) - Controlled dismissal took place at Lord Botetourt High School in Daleville Friday afternoon after a lockdown caused by what Botetourt County Public Schools said was a “social media threat.”

• 10/20/22 - Student found with gun at Chesterfield high school - CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WWBT) - A student was found with a gun at a Chesterfield high school Wednesday afternoon.

• 10/20/22 - ‘Something’s gotta stop’: Police investigate after weapons found at central Virginia schools - RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - A student was found with a knife at a high school in the city of Richmond on Thursday.

• 10/18/22 - 'We have got to do something': Families dealing with increase in violence at schools

• 10/17/22 - ‘It was a lot to take in’: Parent reacts to Highland Springs school brawl - HENRICO, Va. (WWBT) - A massive brawl at Highland Springs High School in Henrico has injured many students and one resource officer.

• 10/7/22 - Student brings gun to school at George Wythe in Richmond - RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Families at George Wythe High School were notified that a student had brought a gun onto the school grounds on Thursday, Oct. 6.

• 9/22/22 - Hold and secure lifted after report of potential threat at school - ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - UPDATE: A “hold and secure” status has been lifted at Addison Middle School in Roanoke after a report of a potential threat Thursday.

• 9/21/22 - Teen girl accused of threat after school lockdown - ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - UPDATE: A 14-year-old girl is accused of a threat that led to one school lockdown in Roanoke Wednesday.  Roanoke Police have sought a petition for Threat by Writing or Electronic Message to Kill or do Harm, a felony, on the girl regarding threats made against William Fleming High School staff and students. The petition has been served and the girl will be taken to the Roanoke Valley Juvenile Center.

• 9/19/22 - Schools across Hampton Roads receive false reports of active shooter - NORFOLK, Va. — UPDATE: Several schools across Hampton Roads received false reports of an active shooter Monday morning.  Virginia Beach dispatchers confirmed someone reported an active shooter at Ocean Lakes High School, but it turned out to be false. The Virginia Beach Police Department said it is working to learn more.

• 9/19/22 - Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office says school shooter threat not valid - SHENANDOAH COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - According to the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office, there have been reports of several school districts in Virginia regarding active shooter incidents.

• 9/12/22 - Police find no weapons at Virginia high school after reports of student with a gun disrupts day - PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — The Prince William County Police Department gave an all-clear this morning after responding to a report of an alleged incident of a student with a gun at an area high school.

• 9/12/22 - Lunenburg Schools closed Monday due to shooting threat, superintendent says - LUNENBURG Co., Va. (WWBT) - Lunenburg County Public Schools said it closed on Monday after the sheriff’s office was notified of a school system threat.

• 9/8/22 - Police: 1st-grader found with handgun inside backpack at Oakland Elementary in Suffolk - SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Police are now investigating after a student was found in possession of a handgun at a Suffolk elementary school.

• 9/4/22 - 2 dead, 5 injured in Norfolk mass shooting - NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – Two people are dead after a late-night shooting in Norfolk, Virginia, that involved college students.

• 9/1/22 - No weapon found, shelter-in-place lifted at Blacksburg High School - BLACKSBURG, Va. – A shelter-in-place that was issued at Blacksburg High School Thursday morning has been lifted, according to school officials.

• 11/10/21 - No gun found after threat leads to lockdown at Giles High School - GILES COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) - Everyone is safe during a lockdown at Giles High School Wednesday morning, according to Giles County Public Schools and the Giles County Sheriff’s Office.

• 11/8/21 - Police seek tips on fake 'shooting in progress' call at Woodbridge High School - Prince William County police are seeking information on a false call about Woodbridge High School Tuesday morning reporting a "shooting in progress."