Amherst County Public Schools releases statement on bomb threat investigation

AMHERST COUNTY, Va. ( WFXR ) – Amherst County Public Schools continues to investigate following a bomb threat that caused a closure of all schools on October 11, as well as an full evacuation the day prior.

As a continued response, school officials have released the following statement to the community:

“On the afternoon of Thursday, October 10, 2024, the Amherst County 911 Dispatch Center received a bomb threat targeting Amherst County Public Schools. Due to the nature of the threat and out of an overabundance of caution, Amherst County Public Schools canceled all home after school activities on Thursday, October 10, 2024, and closed all schools and offices on Friday, October 11, 2024. The decision to close schools was to allow school administration, in conjunction with local and state law enforcement agencies, to search and clear all ACPS buildings of any potential threat. Our families were promptly notified of the situation and information was shared across multiple channels (phone calls, emails, text alerts, local news channels, radio). We are grateful for the understanding and cooperation of our staff, students, families and community during this time.

ACPS would like to thank the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office, Town of Amherst Police, Virginia State Police, and the K-9 units from Liberty University and Ferrum College for responding to the assistance request in conducting the searches. The Virginia State Police also supported the search efforts by bringing in their K-9 Units from Botetourt County, Campbell County, Prince George County, and Rappahannock County. The searches resulted in no findings of explosive materials and all ACPS buildings were cleared.

The threat had a significant impact on community resources, personnel, our students, staff, and families. ACPS, like many school divisions nationwide, has experienced threats that have severely disrupted school operations and impacted the entire community. Bomb threats, whether false or real, have serious consequences. Not only do they cause widespread fear and anxiety, but they also result in immediate and necessary actions to ensure the safety of everyone in our schools. Bomb threats place a significant strain on local law enforcement, emergency services, and school personnel, diverting resources from elsewhere. Each threat triggers a thorough investigation by law enforcement, requiring the mobilization of specialized teams to search and secure facilities.

Additionally, threats create an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among students, parents, and staff. The emotional toll on our school community cannot be overstated. Repeated incidents can undermine students’ sense of security at school, which can affect their ability to focus on learning and their overall well-being. In response to incidents such as this, ACPS has a Crisis Response Plan, protocols and procedures, and additional personnel prepared to support students and staff upon returning to school.

As an important reminder, there are potential consequences of making threats under the Code of Virginia and in the ACPS Code of Student Conduct (Policy JFC – Student Conduct). We ask for the support of our families and community members in helping our students understand the seriousness of these threats and the profound impact they have on our entire school division. By working together, we can help ensure that our schools remain safe.

In conjunction with the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office, ACPS school administration is continuing the investigation to determine the individual responsible. If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office or Amherst County Public Schools.

According to ACPS Superintendent, Dr. William Wells, “The safety of our students, staff, families and community is our top priority. Threats like these are taken seriously and we will continue to work with law enforcement to ensure that our buildings provide a safe and welcoming environment for learning. I appreciate the responsiveness of our staff, as well as local and state law enforcement, regarding this incident. The entire Amherst County Public Schools team is committed to ensuring all students and staff have a safe environment in which to learn and grow.”

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