Bruton High School evacuated staff and students as a precaution after receiving a bomb threat “shortly before noon” on Thursday, according to Katherine Goff, spokesperson for the York County School Division.
Goff said the school division was notified about the threat between 11:35-11:40 a.m. and the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office advised the school to evacuate.
It could not be confirmed at this time who originally received the bomb threat.
About 80 people were evacuated, including both staff and students and within 30 minutes, all students were transported home or to another school, Goff said.
York-Poquoson Sherriff’s Office, York County Fire and Life Safety and Virginia State Police reported to the scene.
The school division called families and notified them about the threat. Goff said many students were in virtual class when teachers had to evacuate the building.
“After a thorough check and building clearance by York-Poquoson Sherriff’s Office and Virginia State Police, staff returned to the building,” said a message sent out to YCSD families this afternoon.
Goff added the bomb threat was specific to BHS and no other schools within the division were evacuated. She noted the threat was made by phone but did not specify if it was through a phone call or text message.
This is the first threat the YCSD has received in the 2020-21 school year.
Update as of Friday, Feb. 12:
Sgt. Michael “Adam” Cooper, York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said the department was contacted by the York County School Division after a school secretary received a phone call about the bomb threat on Thursday at 11:29 a.m.
Cooper added the caller had said there was a bomb already at the school that was going to blow up.
It is not clear who sent the bomb threat at this time and the investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information can call the CRIME LINE at 1-888-562-5887 or the YPSO at 757-890-3621.
