GLOUCESTER, Va. (WAVY) — A Gloucester High School student has been suspended after recording an incident there Tuesday morning, the student and his family said.
Sophomore Johnathon Book-Hoffard had just reached third period when the school went into lockdown. Travis Evans, 18, who was working on a construction site at the school, was arrested after brandishing a loaded gun during a fight with another worker.
Book-Hoffard recorded some of the police activity out the window of a second-story storage space in the large garage where his auto tech class was held. He shared that video with a friend and it was posted to Facebook.
“The people that were being accused were sitting up against the trucks while the trucks were being searched,” Johnathon Book-Hoffard said.
He said he believed sharing the video would help de-escalate the panic online stirred up by rumors of a shooting.
Book-Hoffard was suspended for three days. School officials cited violation of this code: “Posting, distributing, displaying or sharing inappropriate material or literature, including electronic means to include nude or explicit photos.”
His mother, Emma Hoffard disagrees and now worries for her son’s academic future.
“He’s a straight-A student, he’s an excellent kid,” Emma Hoffard said. “He’s trying to get scholarships and something like this can really put a bruise on his future.”
WAVY News 10 spoke with Superintendent of Schools Dr. Anthony Vladu, who said he couldn’t be prouder of the quick way his staff handled the lockdown and that they’ve put a 48-hour stand down on all construction being done while an investigation is underway.
In a statement issued early Wednesday evening to teachers, staff, parents and guardians, Vladu praised the “swift response” of the Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office in arresting the man, while also noting security provisions in place to safeguard the school (See full text of his statement below).
Vladu said he could not comment on Book-Hoffard’s suspension specifically, but said his parents could file to appeal it. Emma Hoffard said they plan to do that before the end of the day Wednesday.
Text of Vladu’s statement
Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Subject: Gloucester High School Lock Down
Dear Teachers, Staff, Parents and Guardians,
I am writing to address the recent incident involving construction safety at Gloucester High School and to assure you of our ongoing commitment to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students and staff.
Yesterday, April 16, 2024, our school was placed into lockdown following a report of a construction worker brandishing a weapon near the construction staging area on the exterior of the school building. Thanks to the swift response of the Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office, the individual was immediately apprehended, ensuring the safety of our school community.
As part of our construction contract, stringent security provisions are in place to safeguard our campus:
- Background checks for all construction employees have been conducted since the beginning of the project and will continue throughout completion.
- A detailed list of all personnel on site is maintained.
- Construction employees must carry a photo identification badge with essential information, including their photo, name, employer, expiration date, and employee identification number.
- The zero-tolerance policy for weapons on school property is strictly enforced.
- Weekly Safety Orientation Meetings are mandatory for all construction employees.
- Subcontractors or construction workers can only access student areas with an escort, and hardened walls separate construction zones from student areas.
- Contractor and subcontractor vehicles are subject to searches, and periodic unannounced site, personnel, and vehicle searches are conducted.
- A job site-wide safety stand-down meeting will be held every Monday, starting April 22, 2024.
- Construction will resume on Thursday, April 18, 2025, at 7:00 AM.
We also want to take this opportunity to emphasize the importance of following lockdown procedures. As we conduct after-action reviews, we recognize that drills work when everyone follows procedures and students, staff, and parents prioritize a safety mindset. It takes all of us to ensure the safety of all children and staff. As such, I thank the countless parents, staff, and students who followed these procedures.
In addition to focusing on physical safety, we recognize the importance of mental health support during challenging times. We want to remind students, parents, and staff that Care Solace is available to connect individuals interested in wellness and mental health resources. Additionally, students can speak with their school counselors for support, and employees may access the Employee Assistance Plan for assistance in coping with difficult situations.
School safety is our utmost priority, and we are grateful for the cooperation and support of the Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office and our dedicated teachers and staff in ensuring the well-being of our students.
Thank you for your understanding and continued partnership in maintaining a secure learning environment.
Sincerely,
Dr. Anthony Vladu
Division Superintendent