SUFFOLK, Va. — A man is facing charges after police said he held students against their will inside a Suffolk elementary school bathroom.
The incident happened Friday morning at Kilby Shores Elementary School. According to a message from Principal Lorri Banks sent to parents, students, and staff were leaving the building for recess when an intruder entered the building, who staff members immediately noticed.
Banks said staff members tracked the trespasser's whereabouts before police arrived and took the suspect into custody. No one was harmed, according to her message. The school went into lockdown during this time, Suffolk officials said.
According to Suffolk police, the suspect, 42-year-old Vontrail Marquis Thorpe, was located in a bathroom occupied by students and had prevented school staff from entering prior to police arrival.
A parent with two children at Kilby Shores who wishes to remain anonymous told 13News Now, "I am infuriated. The danger of a person who is potentially in a mental health crisis is immense. Some of our most violent incidents stem from mental health crises."
The first officer arrived at the school shortly after 11:30 a.m. and police were able to detain Thorpe, who was unarmed, without further incident, at 11:40. Police said nobody was hurt.
Principal Banks said law enforcement remained on campus while students were dismissed.
"I want to thank all parents for their patience as we worked through providing updates and communication," Banks wrote. "Please know that we take every measure to ensure the safety of our students and staff. It is important that all visitors to the building use the main entrance at the front of the building, and sign in and out, to document their visit. Visitors must also maintain the proper visual verification, identifying themselves as a visitor."
On Friday afternoon, Thorpe was charged with two counts of abduction, trespassing, disorderly conduct, possession of a Schedule I/II substance on school property, and breaking and entering. Police said all charges are felonies, except for disorderly conduct, which is a misdemeanor.
The parent added, "the school needs to increase safety protocols when ushering kids in and out for recess. A door being held open for children should be manned by staff with full situational awareness and capability to prevent a threat from entering. That is paramount."
Thorpe is currently being held without bond at Western Tidewater Regional Jail.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing, police said.
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