UPDATE 11:43 a.m.: Radford City Public Schools and the Radford City Police Department released a joint statement about the threat that led to a “shelter in place” at all Radford public schools Tuesday morning.
At approximately 7:35 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 14, Radford City Public Schools notified the Radford Police Department of a potential social media threat involving the use a firearm. School officials immediately contacted police, who then responded to the campuses.
Officials say the district placed all Radford public schools under a shelter in place and sent a message to parents.
According to Tuesday’s statement, police investigated the threat, which actually originated on social media in another locality.
“Student safety is a priority for community and agency, thanks to all of the agencies who aided in our response this morning. Radford City Police Department will continue to keep the safety of our students paramount and will be providing additional security to all school campuses over the following days,” said Radford Police Chief Jeff Dodson.
Virginia State Police, the Blacksburg Police Department, the Virginia Tech Police Department, the Radford University Police Department, and the Radford Sheriff’s Office also helped respond to the situation, officials say.
“The Radford City School Division prides itself on making students, staff and school community safety a priority each and every day. We are grateful for the partnership we have with our local law enforcement agencies and are extremely proud of how our entire school community (students and staff in particular) handled this situation,” Radford City Public Schools Superintendent Robert Graham said.
UPDATE 11:10 a.m.: The Radford City Police Department says the “shelter in place” order has been lifted at Radford City Public Schools after a threat prompted an investigation Tuesday morning.
UPDATE 9:01 a.m.: City officials say there is a “shelter in place” order at all public schools in Radford because of a threat.
While there are no details about the nature of the threat, authorities say Radford City Public Schools notified the Radford City Police Department after learning about the threat on Tuesday, Dec. 14.
A spokesperson for the City of Radford tells WFXR News the district moved into a shelter in place out of an abundance of caution while police investigate.
According to messages sent from Radford school officials and shared with WFXR News, both the district and the police feel the shelter in place order is appropriate, but all schools in the district are safe and will proceed as regularly scheduled.
The messages say that students who arrived at Radford High School or Dalton Intermediate School after the tardy bell on Tuesday morning were asked to return home, but they will not be considered tardy or absent for the day. In addition, once the shelter in place order is lifted, students who were sent home will be allowed to come back to school.
RADFORD, Va. (WFXR) — Officials with Radford City Public Schools tell WFXR News that an investigation is underway Tuesday morning due to a situation.
School officials would not discuss the nature of the situation, which school is involved, or the measures being taken to handle the situation.
However, the district says that all schools are safe at this time.
WFXR News has a crew on the way to Radford to find out more information.
This is a developing story.
