SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. -- Two juveniles planning to commit acts of violence against students and staff at Riverbend High School have been arrested, according to the Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office.
Earlier this month, a Student Resource Officer arrested a juvenile male after receiving information from Sheriff's deputies indicating that the student intended to commit acts of violence against others at the school. He was charged with the felony crime of "Threatening Violence by Means of Internet" and ordered held in the Juvenile Detention center by the court.
Riverbend High School
During their investigation, SROs and detectives found additional information potentially linking a second student to the planning and intent to carry out the plot along with the student already in custody. The second juvenile male was arrested on Friday.
The information Sheriff’s Office, School Administration and the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office developed indicated the students were possibly planning to use firearms, leading to search warrants executed on the residences of both suspects. After gathering more evidence, detectives amended the charges facing the first student to "Conspiracy to Commit Murder." The second student is facing similar charges.
Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office
Both are being held at the Rappahannock Regional Juvenile Detention Center. No additional suspects are believed to be involved.
“This case was a prime example of how the coordination of law enforcement, Commonwealth Attorney’s and school administration worked together to stop an incident like this from occurring,” said Sheriff Roger L. Harris. “Due to this excellent working relationship, we were able to quickly and seamlessly identify a potential threat to our students and faculty.”
