Woodbridge High School Evacuated For A Bomb Threat On Tuesday Afternoon: Police

WOODBRIDGE, VA — There was a bomb threat at Woodbridge Senior High School on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Prince William County Police Department. School officials evacuated the building for 30 minutes before police determined the threat was not credible.

The incident occurred around 1 p.m. on Tuesday, police said. A student told the school resource officer that a boy at the school made a bomb threat.

Authorities determined that a student, who police only described as a 16-year-old boy, placed his bag on his desk in a classroom. He then announced that there was a bomb in the bag, according to the police report.

Another student in the classroom left to notify the school resource officer. The officer detained the 16-year-old boy as school staff and students evacuated the building.

Responding police officers and the school resource officer determined that the boy's threat was not credible and there was no bomb in the bag. Students and staff returned to classrooms to continue instruction after the evacuation, officials said.

The police department said they sought petitions for criminal charges against the boy. After discussion with Juvenile Court Services, authorities decided to handle the case informally. Authorities said the case would be handled through the juvenile diversion process.

Heather Abney is the principal at Woodbridge Senior High School. "We take all threats seriously and are committed to ensuring a safe and secure environment," Abney wrote in a letter to families. "Please remind your student of the seriousness of making a threat. Students will face disciplinary consequences at school, and in some cases, from the police."

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