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Threatening rumors have parents, students on edge

Posted at 1:00 PM, Dec 21, 2012
and last updated 2012-12-21 13:10:13-05

RICHMOND, Va (WTVR) -- It was a somber gathering today at Capitol Square as more than 100 people came together to remember the victims of the Connecticut school shooting that happened one week ago.

"It's really something that is unfathomable, I think in most of our minds," Governor Bob McDonnell said.

Just as unbelievable are some of the copycat threats that have been circulating.

"It breaks my heart," parent Nora Smith exclaimed.

Several parents from Henrico and Louisa Counties have been on edge after threatening rumors began surfacing.  But law enforcement and school officials insist each rumor was investigated and found to be "unsubstantiated."  Still the fear Nora Smith feels for her 11-year-old son Gabe is all too real. 

"It's crazy to me to think that there are people out there that are like that, living in our society," Smith said.  "What's going through their minds?"

It's a shattered sense of safety 7th grader Christopher Lee is also dealing with when asked if he was nervous about the alleged threats.

"Yeah, but I don't really think about it a lot," Lee said.  "I keep thinking about the future ahead of me."

Henrico County School Spokesperson Andy Jenks reconfirmed the alleged rumors were "unsubstantiated." While in Louisa County law enforcement provided additional security to every school today to help ease the concern of parents.