The Alexandria Police Department (APD) said threats making the rounds on social media this week against Alexandria City Public Schools have been investigated and found to be not credible.
A release from APD said there would be a shooting at a school, though no specific school was mentioned. APD said the threats were assessed in collaboration with the Northern Virginia Regional Intelligence Center (NVRIC), a Fusion Center of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and found to be not credible. Similar threats have been circulating around the state and the country.
Alexandria City High School was briefly placed on lockdown yesterday in response to threats.
APD said anyone caught perpetuating threats of violence will be prosecuted and suspected threats should be shared with APD, not spread on social media.
“The social media posts are continuing to be reshared and reposted, adding to the concern being expressed by the public,” APD said.
The full release is shared below:
The Alexandria Police Department (APD) is aware of hoax threats being made against Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) that have originated on social media. The recent social media posts mention a fire alarm being pulled, followed by a planned shooting at a school; no specific school is mentioned. APD has investigated and assessed the threats in collaboration with the Northern Virginia Regional Intelligence Center (NVRIC), a Fusion Center of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. As a result of the investigation, these threats have been deemed not credible. The social media posts are continuing to be reshared and reposted, adding to the concern being expressed by the public.
A series of similar threats have been circulating within the Commonwealth of Virginia and nationwide.
APD takes seriously and fully investigates any threat to our community’s safety. Those who perpetrate threats of violence will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Suspected threats should be shared directly with APD, not spread on social media.
Please report any suspicious activity to the APD non-emergency number 703-746-4444. In the event of an emergency call 911.
