14-year-old arrested for online threat against Hopewell High School

HOPEWELL, Va. (WWBT) - A teenager is facing charges after police say a threatening post against Hopewell High School circulated across social media.

Police say a 14-year-old student was arrested on Friday for a post that contained threatening language against students and staff of the high school. A concerned viewer sent us the post which talked about using a gun against students and staff.

The post was created on Sept. 19.

In a statement, Hopewell City Public Schools said officers have been actively investigating the threat made towards Hopewell High School on Instagram and “it is very likely that the post was made primarily to create fear.”

“It’s important to take all threats to our schools and community seriously, and this arrest should serve as a warning to anyone who might think that they can make threats on social media without consequence,” said Hopewell Police Chief Taylor.

The teen is being charged with a Class 6 felony under Virginia code 18.2-60. The code says that any person who makes a threat in writing or electronically that talks about killing or doing bodily harm to people on school grounds is guilty of a Class 6 felony.

Anyone with more information about this incident is asked to call Crime Solvers at (804) 541-2202.

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