VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A man accused of trespassing on Kempsville High School's campus Friday with "multiple bladed weapons" in his car used to teach PE at the school, Virginia Beach City Public Schools confirmed to WTKR News 3.
Joseph Molineaux, 59, of Virginia Beach, was hired by VBCPS in August of 1999 and retired in February of 2023 as a PE Teacher at Kempsville High, according to the school division.
Police had been called on Friday, April 25 to do a welfare check on Molineaux who was later found at Kempsville High.
Watch previous coverage: Possible trespasser at Kempsville High School taken into custody, police say
Molineaux had outstanding warrants from another jurisdiction, police said, and he was also charged with trespassing, possession of a weapon on school property, and felony threat to commit serious bodily harm.
When he was in custody, police found the bladed weapons in his car.
Watch related: Police presence outside Kempsville High
The principal of Kempsville High School put out the following statement Friday in response to the incident:
"Today, there was police activity in our parking lot. I want to assure you that all students and staff are safe, and the school day has continued without interruption. The incident was related to a matter being handled by local law enforcement. Out of an abundance of caution, we worked closely with the Virginia Beach Police Department and the Office of Safety and Emergency Management to ensure campus safety. As always, we are committed to maintaining a safe learning environment for all students and staff. We encourage families to talk with their students about the importance of reporting anything they see or hear that may be concerning. When students and staff speak up, we can respond quickly and appropriately. Thank you for your continued support of Kempsville High School." - Kempsville High School Principal Melissa George
The school did not go into lockdown due to the incident. However, students who spoke with News 3 said the school was on a short delay between classes.
"They told us that we had to stay in class for an administrative delay," Sawyer Whitmore, a senior, told WTKR News 3 Virginia Beach neighborhood reporter John Hood. "It was like one or two minutes."
An arraignment for Molineaux has been scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday. Stay with News 3 for updates.
