Yorktown High School will see an increased police presence today after a bomb threat was made against the school.
Arlington County police responded to the school around 3:30 a.m. Thursday, shortly after becoming aware of a threat being posted online, according to an ACPD spokesperson.
Law enforcement “immediately investigated and determined the threat to be non-credible,” principal Kevin Clark said in an email to families around 10:45 a.m.
Accordingly, the school day continued as normal, albeit with an increased presence of local police on campus “out of an abundance of caution.”
“The safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority,” Clark wrote.
The full message is below.
Dear Yorktown Families,
This morning, Yorktown High School was made aware of a bomb threat posted online. Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) and APS Safety, Security & Emergency Management (SSEM) immediately investigated and determined the threat to be non-credible. Out of an abundance of caution, ACPD will have an increased presence on and around campus throughout the day.
The safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority. School operations are continuing as normal.
We always encourage our students and staff to be vigilant and proactive. Please contact us whenever you see or hear something suspicious concerning APS. If you see something, say something. Don’t spread it, report it. If you have questions, please contact a member of the administration.
We will keep you updated if there are any new developments. Thank you for your partnership in keeping our school community safe.
This is not the first time Yorktown has dealt with a false threat in recent years.
The school received a false report of a shooting in Sept. 2023. Other previously documented incidents include a false report of hostages being held at the school in Feb. 2022 and a bomb threat that led to the school being evacuated in Sept. 2015.
Additionally, a “threat that was posted on a restroom wall indicating possible harm to the school” was discovered in March 2018, leading to a heightened police presence at the school. An ACPD investigation also found that threat to be unsubstantiated.
