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Schools in Charlottesville, Virginia are on lockdown Wednesday morning after FBI officials warned local police about an online threat targeting the school system. The schools have been placed on a “modified lockdown” while police investigate.
The FBI notified the Charlottesville police department that they had received information from social media message board expressing discontent with recent events in Charlottesville. Furthermore, the post referenced the recent mass shooting in Las Vegas, expressed admiration for the shooter. The message went on to say that Charlottesville, in particular, schools within the city, should be the next target.
The Charlottesville Police Department released an official statement:
On 10-11-2017 the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) notified the Charlottesville Police Department that they had received information from a post made on a social media message board expressing discontent with recent events in Charlottesville. The person(s) who posted the message also referenced the recent mass shooting in Las Vegas and expressed their admiration of the shooter. They went on to say that Charlottesville, in particular, schools within the city, should be the next target.
At this time there is no information on the identity of the person(s) who posted the message. City officers have been posted at all of the city’s schools and at many of the private schools.
Our department is coordinating with Charlottesville City School and Private School Administration in regards to these threats. As part of these efforts, Charlottesville City Schools are currently on a modified lockdown.
The Charlottesville school district also sent a letter to parents:
Dear families and staff,
All Charlottesville City Schools will be working on a modified lock-down today. This means that students will remain indoors when possible and will have adult or police supervision when they need to go outside (such as when classes change at Buford and Walker.) Recess and gym classes will be held indoors.
We are taking these precautionary measures at the request of Charlottesville City Police, who are monitoring an internet comment.
Thank you for your patience. We’ll keep you updated as we learn more from police.
