Threatening email sent to Newport News, Gloucester schools
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — Schools in Gloucester County and Newport News increased security in the wake of emailed bomb and firearm threats to both school divisions Thursday morning.
Authorities are investigating the email that was sent to multiple Newport News and Gloucester public schools, and while NNPS spokesperson Michelle Price didn’t share the contents of the email, she said in a statement it was threatening in nature.
Both school divisions’ security teams were immediately notified and an investigation was launched.
School officials say the Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office was called before school began and deputies determined the threat was not credible well before 9 a.m. As a precaution, schools had a law enforcement presence on their campuses and put into place heightened security measures.
“The email may be an attempt to disrupt the school day, however Newport News Public Schools is taking action,” Price said. “Out of an abundance of caution, the police department and our security team have increased patrol checks today at all schools. This increased presence, along with our enhanced safety and security measures already in place, provide more oversight of our schools and offices.”
Students and families at both districts are asked to “remain diligent and promptly report all safety and security concerns to a school administrator or law enforcement right away.”
Major Ryan Cookson with the Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office said his office doesn’t believe it “was a credible immediate threat,” but said they were “still looking into the matter.”
The exact nature of the threat was not known to parents when they got the alert via text, email or phone. One parent who wished to remain anonymous said he would liked to have seen to the schools shut down for the day, saying his child’s safety was paramount.
“In today’s society, it could be a chemical threat, it could be a threat with a weapon, [or] it could be something as simple as a minor saying he’s gonna go beat somebody up at lunchtime or something,” the student’s father said.
He called the school to get more answers Thursday morning and was told law enforcement was handling it and that they were still investigating. They also could not tell him the nature of the email. Frustrated with the lack of information, he picked up his son from Sanford Elementary.
“My biggest thing, in today’s society, you can’t really trust a whole lot of people,” the parent said. “And a threat is a threat. At the end of the day, I’m going to do what I think, as a parent, is the best thing for safety.”
The parent also told WAVY News 10 he hopes to see more money go toward increased security measures in all schools across Newport News.
Meanwhile, Gloucester County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Anthony Vladu said they are constantly reviewing their safety plan and thanked the Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office for responding to the threat so quickly.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
