‘This is our norm now, and it shouldn’t be’: Chesterfield school closed due to threat of violence

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Class was cancelled on Friday at Manchester Middle School in Chesterfield County after a threat to “shoot up” the school was made online.

Chesterfield County Public Schools officials sent a message to the parents of Manchester Middle School students on the evening on Thursday, Sept. 5, telling them there would be an increased police presence on Friday.

However, in a second message shared the following morning, students and families were notified that the school would be closed for the day. Brooke Woodfin, the parent of a Manchester student, said the news was scary to hear.

“I saw the email that they were going to be closed today because of a potential school shooting, and I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh,’ you know, my heart just started racing,” Woodfin said. “It’s been really hard just thinking about, like, what if they didn’t know, what if they didn’t close school? What could have happened?”

Security expert and emergency management consultant Cliff Lent said the timing of this threat isn’t much of a surprise considering the shooting at a high school in Georgia less than 48 hours before.

“Everybody should trust their own instincts. And if they think something is suspicious, absolutely, report it,” Lent said.

A Chesterfield County Police Department spokesperson told 8News that no charges have been filed in this investigation and that police have found no evidence that the communicated threat is credible.

“The Chesterfield County Police Department remains committed to preserving life, protecting the vulnerable, and working with our partners in the schools and the community,” said Chesterfield Police in a statement sent to 8News. “Our agency takes all reports of this nature seriously and thoroughly investigates each one. A suspect who communicates a threat over social media could be charged with threats of death or bodily injury to persons on school property.”

Chesterfield Police ask anyone with information related to the origin of the threat to call them at 804-784-1251 and encourage parents to discuss responsible social media use with their kids. Woodfin said she hopes things change soon.

“This is our norm now, and it shouldn’t be, but it is,” said Woodfin. “And you know, hopefully the world will get better and be a better place.”

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