School Threats Investigated At Loudoun School District, Security Boosted

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — Threats against Loudoun County public schools prompted a response from the school division Wednesday.

Loudoun County Public Schools said "rumors of a threat" against a school had started to spread on social media Tuesday night. The school was not specified. The LCPS Office of Safety and Security and the Leesburg Police Department's investigation found the threat was not credible.

Leesburg Police clarified in a statement that the rumors appear to be from outside of Virginia and date back to over a year ago.

Later that day, LCPS said staff became aware of "multiple rumored threats" against different LCPS schools. Investigations determined the threats may not be credible, but LCPS said they were taking them seriously. Additional security or police presence was expected on Thursday during the school day.

Superintendent Aaron Spence asked families to talk with their children about the seriousness of making threats against schools or circulating those threats. Spence said acknowledged that these types of threats may increase after school shootings and that threats may result in discipline from the school and potential criminal charges.

"To a student, the use of threatening language might not seem like a big deal, but we have to and will treat it with the utmost caution and seriousness to ensure the safety of all our students and staff," Spence shared. "It is because of this that I’m asking you to please remind your children that they cannot make threats of any kind, even as a joke."

LCPS asked families to encourage their children to report suspicious activity to police, a trusted adult or through the Safe2Talk app and not spread rumors through social media. Students needing support resources can contact SMHSleadershipteam@lcps.org and provide a phone number to contact or reach out to the school.