Shooting threat made over social media prompts closure of Manchester Middle School

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Manchester Middle School is closed on Friday due to a school shooting threat that was made in an online chat.

According to a spokesperson for Chesterfield County Public Schools, a message was shared with parents in the evening on Thursday, Sept. 5 regarding the threat, initially saying that there would be an increased police presence at the school on Friday “out of an abundance of caution.”

In a second message that was shared with the school community in the morning on Friday, Sept. 6, the school division advised that Manchester Middle School would be closed to staff and students on Friday.

“Closing the school today for students and staff will allow Chesterfield Police additional time to work on their investigation,” the message reads, in part.

This threat comes just two days after the deadly shooting at Appalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, though officials have not confirmed whether or not the threat made against Manchester Middle School is related.

The spokesperson further said that buses will still be making rounds throughout the community to pick up students heading to other schools.

The message added that additional updates will be shared as they are received from the Chesterfield County Police Department.

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