VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Three Virginia Beach high school students were arrested for making threatening comments about a teacher.
Police confirmed to News 3 on Thursday the students were from Ocean Lakes High School, and they made the comments online.
The police spokesperson could not confirm the exact charges in the case but said all three students are juveniles. She said the threats were not made on social media.
The arrests come during a week when several school districts across Hampton Roads were dealing with threats against their buildings and multiple incidents involving weapons.
"The amount of threats that all the schools get is concerning," one student told News 3's Leondra Head. "You don’t know when something is actually going to happen."
This was the message Principal Claire LeBlanc sent to parents:
"Good evening, Ocean Lakes families. This is Principal Claire LeBlanc calling with an important message regarding school safety. Earlier today police arrested multiple students for making threatening comments online about a teacher at our school. The matter continues to be investigated by the Virginia Beach Police Department and could lead to more arrests.
With the safety and security of our students and staff as our top priority, we must take every threat seriously. Those responsible will face very real consequences, up to and including expulsion from school as well as criminal charges. I ask that you use this as a way to remind your children that threats of any kind are not acceptable and will not be tolerated.
As always, if students see or hear something concerning, they should report it immediately to police or an adult. Thank you for your cooperation and partnership in reinforcing these important safety reminders, and for your continued support of Ocean Lakes High School."
