ALLEGHANY COUNTY, Va. – UPDATE
Authorities have released a statement after an Alleghany high school student was taken into custody following the discovery of his "hit list."
The student now faces two charges, communicating a written threat to kill and disorderly conduct. The first is a felony, while the second, is a misdemeanor.
More charges could be coming as this incident is still under investigation.
The Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office received a tip around 4 p.m. Monday that an Alleghany High School student currently attending the Rivermont School in Covington had created a "hit list" of students and employees to harm.
The hit list contained names of students from Alleghany County Public Schools, Covington City Public Schools and Rockbridge County Public Schools who are current or past attendees of the Rivermont School, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Below is the full statement from the Covington Police Department:
"Interim Police Chief, Christopher J. Smith, early this morning spoke with the City of Covington’s Superintendent of Schools regarding an unfortunate situation involving an at-risk youth and an early intervention event that occurred to prevent greater risk for students attending Rivermont School as well as others in the community. Since the situation began yesterday, there has been concerted coordination amongst our law enforcement community, the Office of the Commonwealth Attorney and school officials for the region.
The City of Covington’s Police Department has increased its presence within all schools located within its city limits. Additionally, the Interim Chief has offered support services to the schools, centered on facilitating discussions with students, parents and faculty on bullying, mental health awareness as well as situational awareness. “Our goal is to raise general awareness on matters that can be prevented, if you see something, say something”, said the Interim Chief of Police.
Should you wish to report any issues that impact public safety, please contact our Police Department at (540) 965-6333."
ORIGINAL STORY
A high school student was taken into custody Monday after authorities discovered the student had a "hit list" of peers and school employees.
Around 4 p.m. Monday, the Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office received a tip that an Alleghany High School student currently attending the Rivermont School in Covington had created a "hit list" of students and employees to harm.
The Sheriff's Office investigated and ultimately took the suspect into custody. The suspect is in a juvenile detention facility, according to the Sheriff's Office.
The Sheriff's Office posted on Facebook that, "There will be an increased law enforcement presence in and around our schools tomorrow."
The investigation is ongoing and charges are pending, according to the Sheriff's Office.
The hit list contained names of students from Alleghany County Public Schools, Covington City Public Schools and Rockbridge County Public Schools who are current or past attendees of the Rivermont School, according to the Sheriff's Office.
The parents/guardians of the students on the list have been notified of the situation, according to the Sheriff's Office.
The list also contained the names of employees of the Rivermont School, an Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office deputy and members of the suspect’s family, according to the Sheriff's Office.
All of these people have also been notified.
The Sheriff’s Office says this is an isolated situation involving only one suspect, who never carried out the harm described on the list.
Authorities say any potential threat has been neutralized.