Fairfax County police investigating threat found in bathroom at J.E.B. Stuart High School
FALLS CHURCH, Va. - Fairfax County police are investigating a disturbing message found at J.E.B. Stuart High School that warned of a shooting.
The message was discovered Tuesday in a bathroom and was written in pencil on a toilet paper dispenser. It read: "SHCOOL (sic) SHOOTING ON FRIDAY 8th OF JUNE PREPARE."
"My daughter immediately broke down crying," said parent Donald Easley.
Parents told FOX 5 that a student took a picture of the message, it spread on social media, and that is how most became aware of it.
"[My son is] walking through the hallway, his phone goes off, and all of a sudden, this is what is happening at J.E.B. Stuart," Easley said.
Police said Wednesday evening that they have not identified who wrote the message. They said because of that, they can't say if the threat is valid.
School will be open as usual on Friday, but there will be extra police patrolling then and on Thursday.
Easley said both of his kids will be out of school for the rest of the week.
"You never know when that threat can become reality," he said.
The school district emailed a letter to parents Tuesday and provided another update Wednesday.
The update said in part, "We continue to work closely with Fairfax County Police as we investigate the threat found in a student bathroom yesterday."
The email said the bathroom is rarely used during the instructional day and goes on to state, "We've interviewed several individuals and, at this time, there is no reason to believe students and staff are at risk. We believe this was only meant to disrupt school operations."
FOX 5 asked a Fairfax County Public Schools spokesperson why that is the belief if it is still unknown who wrote the message or what the intention was. No response was given.
It is unknown what connection the people interviewed by the school may have to the incident.
In an email, Fairfax County Public Schools spokesman John Torre wrote, "FCPS is working with the police to investigate and resolve this matter. The school wil be open tomorrow and Friday. Extra security will be at the school both days."