Officials have lifted lockdowns at New River Community College and Pulaski County Schools in Virginia following an extensive law enforcement investigation into a reported threat on Friday morning. The campus was placed on high alert after a phone call claimed a person with a weapon was present, but a thorough search found no evidence of a threat.
No shots were fired and no injuries were reported during the incident. While the immediate danger has passed, law enforcement continues to investigate the origin of the phone call that triggered the emergency response.
Key Takeaways
- New River Community College in Dublin, Virginia, initiated a lockdown after receiving a threatening phone call.
- Pulaski County Schools were also placed on lockdown as a precautionary measure.
- A comprehensive search by law enforcement found no weapon, no suspect, and no evidence of a threat.
- All lockdowns have been lifted, but the college remained closed for the remainder of Friday.
- An investigation into the source of the threatening phone call is now underway.
Timeline of the Campus Alert
The situation began Friday morning when New River Community College received a phone call. According to a college spokesperson, the caller indicated a potential shooter was on campus, specifically in Godbey Hall.
The college administration acted immediately, contacting local law enforcement agencies. Officials confirmed that police units arrived on the scene within minutes of the call being placed, demonstrating a rapid response to the potential crisis.
Simultaneously, the college activated its emergency protocols, initiating a full campus lockdown to ensure the safety of all students and staff present. All individuals on campus were instructed to shelter in place while authorities assessed the situation.
A Coordinated Multi-Agency Response
The law enforcement response was swift and comprehensive. Multiple agencies worked together to secure the perimeter and begin a systematic clearing of the campus buildings. Pulaski County Emergency Management coordinated efforts on the ground.
As part of the coordinated effort, Fire & EMS personnel were staged nearby, ready to provide assistance if needed. This standard procedure in active threat scenarios ensures that medical help is immediately available without interfering with the law enforcement operation.
Precautionary Measures Extend Beyond Campus
The potential threat prompted officials at Pulaski County Schools to also place their facilities on lockdown. This was described as a purely precautionary measure, taken to ensure the safety of students and staff in the surrounding area while the situation at the college was still developing.
The Search and Investigation
Law enforcement officers conducted a meticulous sweep of the New River Community College campus, with a primary focus on Godbey Hall, the building named in the initial phone call.
The process involved teams of officers clearing rooms and public spaces to ensure no threat was present. After a thorough search of the facilities, authorities gave the all-clear.
Investigation Outcome
Officials confirmed that their extensive search yielded no results. No weapon was located on campus, and authorities did not find any person of interest matching the description of a potential threat. The report was deemed unfounded.
A spokesperson for the college confirmed the outcome in a statement. "Law enforcement has cleared the facility. No threat was found," the statement read, providing relief to the campus community.
Aftermath and Ongoing Inquiry
Following the all-clear from law enforcement, officials formally ended the lockdowns at both New River Community College and the nearby Pulaski County Schools. Students and staff were able to leave safely.
Despite the resolution of the immediate incident, the college announced it would remain closed for the rest of Friday. This decision allows the community time to process the event and ensures a smooth operational restart.
"Law enforcement will continue to investigate the phone call," a college spokesperson stated, emphasizing that the focus has now shifted from an active threat response to a criminal investigation.
Authorities have not released any information about the potential origin of the call, but such investigations often involve tracking telecommunications data to identify the source. Making a false threat against a school is a serious offense that can carry significant legal consequences. The community awaits further updates as the investigation proceeds.