Update 4:13 p.m.: James City County Police have determined a seventh grade student brought the magazine to school. The investigation continues, and no charges have been filed.
Original Post: Hornsby Middle School was locked down Wednesday after a student found a loaded rifle magazine in a classroom on the building’s second floor.
Williamsburg-James City County Schools spokesperson Betsy Overkamp-Smith said the school alerted the James City County Police Department when the magazine was found. The school was put into lockdown, keeping sixth- and eighth-grade students in their classrooms. Seventh-grade students were at lunch when the lockdown began, so they remained in the cafeteria.
Canines from the Virginia State Police did not turn up any evidence of a firearm in the building after a search. The school day ends at 3:05 p.m., and students remained at the school receiving instruction after police determined there was no evidence of a threat. The lockdown began between 12:15 and 12:45 p.m. and ended at 2:30 p.m.
Maj. Stephen Rubino of the James City County Police Department said the magazine was a .17 caliber rifle magazine. Several students were questioned by police, and the investigation is ongoing. The school division is also conducting an investigation.
Overkamp-Smith said a call was made to parents alerting them of the incident and asking them to use it as an opportunity to speak with their students about bringing inappropriate items to school. Any parent or student with information on the incident is asked to call the school at 565-9400 or Crime Line at 888-LOCK-U-UP (888-562-5887).
The text of the message sent out to parents of Hornsby Middle School students is as follows:
Good afternoon, Hornsby families. Today the school was put into lockdown after a staff member found a loaded firearm magazine in a classroom. We immediately alerted James City County Police and officers responded quickly to the school. While the investigation is ongoing, I can tell you that state police conducted a sweep of the school with trained canines and no firearm was found.
The actions we took today were in consultation with James City County Police, and we will continue our investigation. Please remind your student that items such as this should not be brought to school under any circumstance. If your child has any information about this incident, please contact the school immediately.
We will continue to take all necessary steps to ensure student and staff safety, as we did today. We all play a role keeping our school safe, and by working together we can help students understand their roles and their responsibilities. Please do not hesitate to call the school if you
have any questions.
