Updated 3:26pm Thursday, September 19, 2024
DELBARTON An evacuation and early dismissal this morning at Mingo Central High School was the result of what investigators are calling a “suspicious note.”
According to the Mingo County Board of Education, deputies with West Virginia State Police and the Mingo County Sheriff’s Office responded this morning to Mingo Central due to reports of a “suspicious note” being found on school grounds. Following a full evacuation of students and staff, the Board of Education says officers and a K-9 unit conducted a security sweep of the school. Just before eleven o’ clock, the all-clear was given as the threat was determined not to be credible.
Police are continuing investigations into the incident, trying to determine who wrote the suspicious note. In the meantime, the Board of Education says classes at Mingo Central will resume tomorrow on their regular schedule.
This marks two times in two weeks that Mingo County has had to respond to potential threats made to its area schools. Last week, law enforcement in Boyd County, Kentucky reported multiple surrounding counties had been mentioned in a social media threat, resulting in a precautionary lockdown for Mingo County Schools.
Over in McDowell County, two students face charges including making threats of terrorist acts and felony conspiracy. Those charges stem from threatening posts made last week on social media, which investigators believe were intended to close River View High School in Bradshaw for at least a day. The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office, along with the County Board of Education and Prosecutor’s Office, have said they intend to prosecute any person who threatens public safety, regardless of whether or not those threats have any substance.
Nearly fifty schools across the state have been the subject of investigations amid a wave of threats of violence. Governor Jim Justice in response assigned the West Virginia Fusion Center and the Department of Homeland Security to take charge of statewide investigations. Any suspicious or threatening activity can be reported by calling 9-1-1.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Pittsburgh office is also investigating the recent string of threats in both West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania.
PHOTO | Mingo Central High School FB
Original
DELBARTON An evacuation and early dismissal this morning at Mingo Central High School was the result of what investigators are calling a “suspicious note.”
Just after nine o’ clock this morning, the Mingo County Board of Education posted the announcement to its social media. According to the post, Mingo Central High School has been evacuated and students being sent home following the discovery of the note. Students who drove to the school but couldn’t retrieve their keys during evacuation were placed on buses.
At this time, no details are available as to what is contained in that note, the Board of Education saying updates on the investigation will be provided as they’re made available. However, the post indicates that the evacuation was to allow law enforcement to sweep the entire building, which they say could take several hours.
This marks two times in two weeks that Mingo County has had to respond to potential threats made to its area schools. Last week, law enforcement in Boyd County, Kentucky reported multiple surrounding counties had been mentioned in a social media threat, resulting in a precautionary lockdown for Mingo County Schools.
Over in McDowell County, two students face charges including making threats of terrorist acts and felony conspiracy. Those charges stem from threatening posts made last week on social media, which investigators believe were intended to close River View High School in Bradshaw for at least a day. The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office, along with the County Board of Education and Prosecutor’s Office, have said they intend to prosecute any person who threatens public safety, regardless of whether or not those threats have any substance.
Nearly fifty schools across the state have been the subject of investigations amid a wave of threats of violence. Governor Jim Justice in response assigned the West Virginia Fusion Center and the Department of Homeland Security to take charge of statewide investigations. Any suspicious or threatening activity can be reported by calling 9-1-1.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Pittsburgh office is also investigating the recent string of threats in both West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania.
PHOTO | Mingo Central High School FB
Comments