Extra deputies have been sent to New Kent County schools following a possible threat that a shooting was going to take place at New Kent Middle School.
Details of the rumor were revealed Tuesday on the New Kent County Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook page. The sheriff’s department stated there is no “credible information” to back up the threat other than a rumor but it was sending extra deputies to the schools Tuesday and Wednesday.
Several schools in Central Virginia have received threats in the wake of the mass shooting at Apalachee High School near Winder, Georgia, that left two teachers and two students dead on Sept. 4.
“Earlier today, we were made aware of a rumor alleging that a shooting was going to take place at New Kent Middle School,” New Kent County Sheriff’s Office stated in its news release. “Our office is working together with school administration officials to determine the source of that threat. At this time, there is no credible information or evidence to corroborate this threat other than the rumor that has been circulating among students in the school. Out of an abundance of caution, our office will have extra deputies present at all schools for the rest of today and tomorrow.”
Threats have disrupted education in Virginia since the Georgia school shooting. On Sept. 6, classes were canceled at Manchester Middle School in Chesterfield County after a shooting threat was posted online. Dinwiddie County High School saw a bigger police presence Monday morning after a threat was posted on social media over the weekend, according to media reports.
King William High School investigated an alleged overheard threat about a school shooting last week.
Anyone with information regarding the threat in New Kent County is asked to contact the New Kent Sheriff’s Office at 804-966-9500, via its mobile app, a local law enforcement agency, or Metro Richmond Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000.
David Macaulay, Davidmacaulayva@gmail.com
