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Students absent because of alleged threat at high school

Posted at 6:46 PM, Apr 20, 2012
and last updated 2012-04-20 19:02:01-04

HENRICO, Va. (WTVR) - It was a normal school day Friday at Douglas Freeman High School, but some students say you wouldn't know it by the number of kids that showed up.

“First period was like seven people… and it’s usually 20 or 30 people”, said student, Edwin Salpor.

“So yeah, I think everyone was a little shaken up,” said student, Chanel Dennis.

They were shaken up over a rumor that started circulating in social media this week at Freeman High School.

Some students worried that a former student was planning an act of violence.

“Look, we know there are some parents and students who decided not to come to school today,“ said Mychael Dickerson, spokesperson for Henrico County Public Schools.

Dickerson said the rumors were unsubstantiated, but parents were alerted via voicemail from the principal.

“I didn't get it until I got home from work and it was too late, and I didn`t have a chance to call the school an find out any further information,” said parent Mary Kay Jarret who brought her daughter to school Friday.

“I know someone who spoke with Henrico County police, they didn't think it was a viable threat, so I let her come, and she had a test today,” said Jarret.

Dickerson also said the county couldn’t confirm school attendance numbers, and would not release them.

A Special Olympics event was held at Freeman Friday and several media outlets were invited, but then contacted Friday morning and told not to come.