UPDATED: Lakeland High School evacuated due to bomb threat Wednesday afternoon

Published 5:28 pm Wednesday, September 21, 2022

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A 4:16 p.m. bomb threat at Lakeland High School led to the evacuation of the building Wednesday afternoon.

In a news release late Wednesday, Suffolk Police and Suffolk Fire and Rescue reported that the school was evacuated and the Suffolk Fire Marshal’s Office, with assistance from Suffolk Police, conducted a sweep of the premises and deemed the building all clear. 

No students were in the building at the time of evacuation, according to the release. Parents posting about the incident on Facebook said students and staff were outside and safe, but all of their belongings reamined inside.

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During the sweep of the school, parents said in their posts to Facebook that police had all entrances to the school blocked.

Police said in the release that faculty and staff returned to the building and after-school activities have resumed as normal after the all-clear was called.

Suffolk Police and Suffolk Fire and Rescue responded to a report of a bomb threat at Lakeland High School at 4:16 p.m., Wednesday, Sept.21. 

The Suffolk Police Department and the Suffolk Fire Marshal’s Office will have an enhanced presence at the school Thursday, Sept. 22, officials said in the release. 

Emergency Communications was notified of the threat Thursday by Suffolk Public School administrators at 4:16 p.m.  

The incident remains under investigation and there is no further information at this time. 

The school was locked down Wednesday when Suffolk Public School administrators alerted Suffolk Police that a 16-year-old male student was believed to have a firearm in his possession on the campus. Police found the student and secured the weapon without incident. This juvenile has been arrested on three charges in connection with the incident and is being held at the Chesapeake Juvenile Detention Center.

Editor’s note: This article was updated at 7:30 p.m. with the information released by Suffolk Police Department.