Over this past weekend, the Virginia Fusion Center notified the Danville Police Department of a social media post that contained a non-location-specific threat to shoot at a school that originated from the city of Danville area. In partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Danville Public Schools, the Danville Police Department began an immediate investigation to determine and locate the source of the social media post.
Within hours, the identity and address of the individual who made the post was established and he was taken into custody at his residence located in the city of Danville. A search of the residence determined that no firearms were present. The individual, a 16-year-old male juvenile, was charged with a felony offense of making a threat of death or bodily injury to persons on school property and he was held on a detention order at W.W. Moore, Jr. Juvenile Detention Home.
The investigation into this incident revealed that numerous persons who knew the juvenile observed and responded to his post, however we are not aware of any of those persons reporting the threat to law enforcement. In a time where the nation is mourning tragedy in a school setting, the Danville Police Department would ask the community to immediately notify law enforcement of threats or perceived threats to shoot, bomb, or in any way harm others they may become aware of. When citizens report alarming behavior and rumors of an imminent threat, the police department may be led in a direction to avert a tragic event. Please do not hesitate to make notification as time is critical in any investigation. Threats of this nature should be considered an emergency and reported by calling 911.
The Danville Police Department immediately and thoroughly investigates all threats to schools and the community safety as-a-whole. The citizens of Danville should also be aware that the Danville Police Department trains and prepares for critical incidents in partnership with the Danville Fire Department, the Danville Life Saving Crew, and Danville Public Schools.
The Danville Police Department also provides (CRASE) Citizen Response to Active Shooter Event training for the members of the community who are interested in learning best practices if responding or present during an active shooter event. This training has been provided to numerous groups and can be set up should any groups be interested in hosting a training event by contacting Lt. P.R. Deel at DEELPR@DANVILLEVA.GOV
Tips and information can be sent by contacting the Danville Police Department through any available platforms to include calling patrol at 799-6510, investigations at 799-6508, calling 911, contacting Crime stoppers at 434-793-0000, through social media or use our crime tips app CARE at https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=818#. Information leading to an arrest and conviction in this case will be eligible for a cash reward.
Relevant Code: Code of Virginia §18.2-60, Threats of death or bodily injury to persons on school property