JAMES CITY COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) — A 14-year-old Warhill High School was charged Wednesday with making threats of harm to the school over social media, James City County Police said.
Working with Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools officials, James City County Police school resource officers began investigating a student after finding social media posts that threatened violence Wednesday afternoon, police said.
The school sent out the following statement to parents:
“Good evening, Warhill families.
After dismissal today, a screenshot of a threatening message posted on social media was reported to administration.
Our administration and the James City County police department investigated, and the matter is being addressed by law enforcement and by the school pursuant to our Code of Conduct. As an added layer of comfort and assurance for our students, families, and staff, we understand additional police presence will be at our basketball game tonight.
The safety and security of our students and staff is our top priority. We appreciate the individual who reported the social media post to our administrative team. We ask parents and students to continue to be vigilant while on social media and immediately report any threatening messages or images to the school and/or local law enforcement.”
Officers found and detained the teen, who was taken to the Merrimac Juvenile Detention Center. The teen has been charged with one felony count of making threats of death or injury.
James City County Police said they are taking “all necessary measures” to address the threats, including increasing the police presence at school events for the rest of the week, coinciding with the students’ break.
Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools students do not have school Thursday and Friday.
