Virginia schools have been getting false bomb and shooter threats for nearly a month, and the threats are mostly coming from kids and teenagers.
After the Georgia shooting
At least 36 school divisions in Virginia have faced threats of bombs, shooters, and more since the September 4 school shooting in Georgia, according to Axios Richmond.
More than 700 children and teenagers across 45 states had been arrested or accused of making violent threats against schools in the month after the Georgia shooting, according to The New York Times.
Many officials said the number of threats was much higher than usual. Some arrests and detention for children have been as young as 10. The charges for the threats have ranged from misdemeanors to felonies.
The threats caused schools to lock down or temporarily close, disrupting learning, stirring anxiety about safety, and requiring police presence.
What officials say
Multiple school districts are asking parents to talk with their children about the consequences of making threats because they are not jokes. Voices for Virginia’s Children CEO Rachael Deane told VPM that being exposed to threats, even fake ones, can rattle students mentally, and the fear of violence can have a lasting impact on some children.