Skip to main content
Cloudy icon
47º

Man arrested after reportedly bringing semi-automatic firearms onto Wythe County school property, Sheriff says

Authorities found weapons to be fully loaded, school placed on lockdown

Justin Reed (Credit: Wythe County Sheriff's Office) (WSLS)

WYTHE COUNTY, Va. – A man has been arrested after the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office said a school employee reported he had brought two fully-loaded firearms onto school property on Friday.

Recommended Videos



At 2:57 p.m. on Feb. 17, 2023, authorities said a Wythe County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer was notified that a man was on the school property with an AR-15-style rifle.

We’re told Fort Chiswell High School was placed on lockdown, deputies took position outside of the headstart, and all school buses were told to avoid the area.

The SRO and other Wythe County deputies were able to stop the man on Apache Run near Clinch Valley Community Action headstart, according to the sheriff’s office.

Authorities say he had a fully-loaded Diamondback semi-automatic 5.56 rifle and a fully-loaded semi-automatic 9mm Sig Sauer.

The man, who is now identified as Justin Reed, was arrested and is being charged with the following, the Sheriff said:

  • 2 counts of possession of a firearm on school property, a Class 6 Felony,
  • Disorderly conduct,
  • 2 counts of brandishing a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school to induce fear, a Class 6 Felony.

Authorities said Reed was held without bond and will be held at the New River Valley Regional Jail.


Loading...
About the Author
Alli Graham headshot

Alli Graham came aboard the digital team as an evening digital content producer in June 2022.