Swatting Calls Cause Lockdown, Evacuation At Alexandria Schools

UPDATED at 9:40 p.m. Wednesday

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandria Police determined the threats against several schools on Wednesday were swatting calls.

Swatting calls are intentional false threats seeking an emergency response to a location. Police say swatting calls targeted Charles Barrett Elementary School and Cora Kelly School.

"The APD takes every threat to public safety seriously. The investigation today revealed no threat or danger," police said in a statement.

Around 12:04 p.m. police responded to Charles Barrett Elementary School at 1115 Martha Custis Drive about a report of someone going to the school with guns. Officers, K-9s and SWAT teams responded and searched the school. School leaders decided to evacuate the school to allow police to search, and the investigation found no threat.

According to Principal Loren Brody, the school was initially on secure the building status at 12:14 p.m. At 12:20 p.m., officials decided to evacuate the school due to additional information about a bomb threat "in the vicinity of the school." Students were first evacuated to Parc East Apartment lobby before being transported by bus to Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology.

The second threat affected Cora Kelly Elementary School for Math, Science and Technology, where Charles Barrett Elementary students were sent after their evacuation. Principal Jasibi Crews said Cora Kelly School was on lockdown as Alexandria Police investigated an anonymous threat.

Police said additional calls came in claiming threats at Cora Kelly School, where officerswere already present. The police determined there was no threat at Cora Kelly School.

Another threat was investigated at George Washington Middle School. Principal Jeannette Vinson told families that a school resource officer investigated a threat, and Alexandria Police assisted the school to safely dismiss students Wednesday afternoon.

"This afternoon, a parent contacted APD with concern that something may be happening at George Washington Middle School," police said. "Our communications center immediately contacted the School Resource Officer on school grounds. The officer investigated & advised there was no threat."

Alexandria Police are investigating the incidents with help from federal authorities. Police say swatting is a criminal offense and can result in a Class 1 misdemeanor to a Class 6 felony with up to five years in prison.

Anyone with information can call police at 703-746-4444.