UPDATE 5:25 p.m.: Danville school officials provided additional information about the potential threat posted on social media Friday morning that sparked a “lock out” and additional security measures at George Washington High School.

According to the high school, the administration learned about a social media post from a parent that referenced an Instagram post about a shooting threat to George Washington High on Monday, Dec. 6.

At this time, school officials say the Danville Police Department has not found any Instagram post of this nature to validate the threat, so they do not believe the threat is credible.

However, bookbag checks and other safety precautions will continue to be followed as the school enters the SOL and final exam period. Since any bookbags that are not clear will be searched by security, students are encouraged to use clear bookbags in order to expedite entry into school.

“We are taking these precautions to ensure safety of all students and staff, and we appreciate your partnership in this effort,” George Washington High wrote on Facebook Friday afternoon.

UPDATE 10:20 a.m.: Both police and school officials in Danville are investigating the possible social media threat that prompted a “lock out” at George Washington High School Friday morning.

At approximately 8:15 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 3, the Danville Police Department says officers responded to reports of a potential online threat involving George Washington High School.

According to the department, that initial response included extra uniformed personnel partnering with Danville Public Schools employees and security to guarantee the safety of everyone at the school and arriving via buses or personal vehicles.

The school reportedly delayed entry in order to add extra security measures before allowing everyone inside.

As of this writing, police say all students are safely in class and no evidence has been identified to validate this potential threat that was posted on social media.

Danville police investigators are working to back track the source of the potential threat to George Washington High School.  At this point, the investigation is continuing but investigators are interviewing what is believed to be the first person to start sharing information of a threat on social media, and it cannot be validated that this individual ever actually saw or heard a threat at all.

Additional police personnel beyond the normal school resource officers will continue to partner with the Danville Public Schools throughout the day to ensure the safety of everyone at George Washington High School.  The Danville Police Department takes even the slightest of threats very serious and the co-response with the school today was out of an abundance of caution for the safety of everyone involved.  

Danville Police Department

DANVILLE, Va. (WFXR) — Danville school officials alerted parents Friday morning as George Washington High School was put on a “lock out” because of a possible threat that was posted on social media.

The high school announced on social media shortly after 9 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 3 that students are being dismissed from buses one by one and are undergoing precautionary security checks as they enter the building.

School officials say they are investigating the online threat and will notify parents when that investigation is complete.

For the rest of the semester, though, George Washington High will continue to administer security checks.

In addition, students are discouraged from bringing non-clear bookbags in order to expedite their entry into school each day.

According to George Washington High, “these are safety precautions we are taking to make sure that our school remains safe for students to learn.”

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