On September 16, 2024, the Danville Police Department’s School Resource Officer was made aware of a threat written within a restroom at George Washington High School and the agency immediately responded with members of the Investigations Bureau. A photograph depicting the threat at George Washington High School was spread on social media platforms and led to further threats implying possible violence at local schools being spread with the intent to force the closure of schools.
The Danville Police Department immediately began investigations into each reported threat to determine the validity and the identities of those involved. Members of the Investigations Bureau worked throughout the night to follow digital leads and interview individuals related to the potential threats to schools. As a result of the investigations, the threats to safety within the Danville Public Schools insinuated in messages and posts spread through social media platforms yesterday were found not credible. Two juveniles have been charged as a result of two separate threats reported yesterday.
A 16-year-old George Washington High School student was charged with VA Code 18.2-60, Threats of death or bodily injury to persons on school property, and a detention order was issued. That investigation found the suspect was a student upset with school employees and no threat to any student was found.
A 12-year-old Bonner Middle School student was charged with VA Code 18.2-83 Threats to bomb or damage buildings; false information as to danger to such buildings, and a juvenile petition was issued. That investigation found the suspect never intended to harm anyone but wanted to continue the trend of threats within the schools in hopes of having schools closed.
Making threats in writing on property, verbally, or via social media platforms and digital devices that cause fear of bodily harm or death are illegal and a serious criminal act. The Danville Police Department vigorously investigates all these threats to determine the validity of the threat, then takes steps to stop any threat to human life in each case we are made aware of. When these threats are made the outcome will be a criminal prosecution.
We would ask that parents and guardians explain the serious legal implications to their children to deter them from making threats in any form.