Multiple Richmond schools evacuated, closing early due to ‘unsubstantiated’ threat, police investigating

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Multiple schools in the City of Richmond were evacuated on Thursday due to an incident that the Richmond Police Department is investigating.

Around 11:30 a.m. on May 22, a dispatcher with the Richmond Department of Emergency Communications received a call of a threat to a Richmond Public Schools building. Less than an hour later, another call was received with similar threats for other schools in Henrico County and Richmond, according to police.

"The Richmond Police Department coordinated with the Henrico Police Department, RPS and a few Richmond private schools to begin the investigation," a release from Richmond Police reads. "The RPD Bomb Squad and other resources responded to several locations. Nothing suspicious or dangerous has been located."

8News reached out to Richmond Public Schools for more information but the spokesperson refused to say which schools were closing early, due to the ongoing investigation.

Some schools took to social media to announce the situation to families.

"Right now, due to an unsubstantiated threat called into Richmond Police, we are evacuating the building as RPD [investigates] the claims," a social post from John Marshall High School posted around 1 p.m. reads. "Everyone is safe, and we will send an update as soon as we have one."

Franklin Military Academy made a similar post saying:

"We are releasing early today, due to a threat called into the Richmond Police. We have evacuated the building and everyone is safe and accounted for. Out of an abundance of caution, we are asking RPD to conduct a thorough search of the building. Given their estimate for how long this will take, we've made the decision to release early. Buses are en route. Thank you for understanding."

A short time later, around 2:30 p.m., Richmond Public Schools released the following statement:

"Earlier this morning, the Richmond Police Department contacted Richmond Public Schools and shared that they had received an anonymous threat against one of our schools. Shortly after, we learned of threats against six other buildings as well. We followed all our protocols, which include the evacuation and thorough search of each building. Given the estimated length of time for searches — and the lateness in the school day — we opted for an early release, rather than having students wait outside or on buses. We are grateful for the fast action and partnership of the Richmond Police Department."

A spokesperson with Henrico County Public Schools also confirmed that Miles E. Godwin High School and Douglas S. Freeman High School had been briefly placed on lock-and-teach while officers with the Henrico County Police Division "assisted with a potential safety matter."

"The buildings have been cleared, and both schools resumed normal operations. Everyone is safe," the Henrico Schools spokesperson said.

The Henrico County Police Division said it was alerted that Richmond Emergency Communications had received a suspicious call around 12:30 p.m. "regarding multiple locations in the area." Freeman and Godwin High Schools were reportedly among those locations named, prompting police to search and clear both schools.

"Henrico Police have determined this call to be unfounded and will coordinate with Richmond Police and Richmond Emergency Communications to investigate the origin and content of the call," a spokesperson with the police division said.

The Richmond Police Department is continuing to investigate and encourages anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000.