SUFFOLK, Va. — A 13-year-old student has been charged after a bomb threat was sent to Colonel Fred Cherry Middle School in Suffolk. The school was evacuated Wednesday morning while Suffolk authorities investigated the threat, city officials said.
On Friday, a city spokesperson said that after the Suffolk Fire Marshal’s Office investigated the bomb threat, petitions were issued for a 13 year-old student at the school for the charge of threat to bomb or damage buildings or means of transportation.
According to Virginia code, for those that are under 15 years of age, this is a Class I Misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2,500 fine. If individuals are 15 years of age or over the offense becomes a Class V Felony.
The Suffolk Police Department and Suffolk Fire & Rescue responded to the school in the 7400 block of Burbage Drive at around 10 a.m. Wednesday after school administrators learned of the threat.
Authorities ordered everyone to leave the school while they did a sweep of the building. City officials said the building was determined to be clear at around 11:15 a.m. and has allowed students and staff to re-enter the building.
No one was injured in the incident. The investigation is ongoing.
