UPDATE: (5 P.M. Thursday, Sept. 12) – A spokesperson for Kanawha County Schools tells 13 News that George Washington High School was never the target of any threat.

The Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office was investigating a call regarding GW, but KCS says it turned out to be a false report. KCS says a student called their parent and mentioned a locked classroom door. According to KCS, the parent called 911 believing the student meant the school was under a lockdown. But, the school was never under lockdown and there was never any issue.

KCS says they have seen versions of the same threat being circulated in communities that are not unique to any specific school. For example, a KCS spokesperson says school district officials did send messages Wednesday to Horace Mann Middle School and Hayes Middle School regarding potential threats. However, the spokesperson says the message was a generic “HMS” message being circulated around the country.

Other schools KCS reached out to regarding messages of potential threats include Capital High School, Ben Franklin Career Center, Carver Career Center, Sissonville Middle School, Andrew Jackson Middle School and South Charleston High School.

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) – Law enforcement and the Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office are working to investigate threats against Kanawha County Schools.

According to Kanawha County Prosecutor Debra Rusnak, her office has been contacted by people with “very valid” concerns over school safety. She says this comes after several threats and hoaxes in the area, including against schools in Kanawha County.

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Rusnak says two threats being investigated are alleged “active shooter threats” against George Washington High School and South Charleston High School.

“There is nothing we take more seriously than the safety of our children,” said Prosecuting Attorney Debra Rusnak, “The cases are being thoroughly investigated and will be vigorously prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Rusnak reiterated that regardless of the suspect’s intent or ability to follow through, these threats and hoaxes are felony crimes. She says those who make such threats face a maximum of one to three years in a state penitentiary and a fine of anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000.

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