The York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office are releasing very few details about a “shell casing” found near two Grafton public schools Thursday morning.
There’s also confusion on whether the sheriff’s office requested a bomb-sniffing dog from the Virginia State Police or a “regular” canine.
Shelly Ward, spokeswoman for the sheriff’s office, said a “shell casing” was found at Grafton Complex.
Sheriff’s deputies were called there at 10:51 a.m. Ward said the “Grafton Complex” is where Grafton Middle and High Schools are located.
At around 1 p.m., Ward said she believes the dog they requested is no longer at the scene, but sheriff’s deputies are still there.
When asked for more information, including what type of casing, Ward said she had “no idea.”
“I do not know anything about it,” she said. “If I had anything to tell you I would.”
According to the Virginia State Police announcement, the sheriff’s office requested a dog from the state police bomb squad.
Ward said a dog was requested to search the school. She initially said the sheriff’s office did not request a bomb-sniffing dog, directing questions about the request to state police.
WYDaily immediately attempted to get clarification from Katherine Goff, spokeswoman for the York County School Division, but was told by Bonnie Gray, secretary for community & public relations for the school division, that both Goff and Superintendent Victor D. Shandor, were attending a planned committee meeting.
Then at 2:24 p.m., Goff sent the following in an email:
“Deputies were at GMS to assist middle school administrators with an investigation into the discovery of a spent shell casing in the building this morning. While there was no indication of a weapon on campus, we contacted the Sheriff’s Office as a precaution. While law enforcement was on site, the middle school initiated our Hold In Place protocol in which students remain in their classroom with instruction ongoing. Our families were notified with the information above through our rapid notification system. Any other details of the investigation will be referred to the YPSO.”
