Arlington County police are investigating two separate incidents this week in which ammunition was brought into a school.
The latest happened earlier today (Thursday) at Washington-Liberty High School. Police were called after a student was found to be in possession of ammo and a firearm magazine, according to scanner traffic.
In an email to families, W-L’s principal said ACPD is investigating but “at this time, all students and staff are safe, and there is no identified threat to the school community.”
“The matter is being handled in accordance with APS policies, and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken,” the principal wrote. The full email is below.
Dear W-L Students, Families, and Friends,
I am writing to inform you about an incident that occurred at school today. A student was found in possession of ammunition. School staff responded immediately and worked closely with the Arlington County Police Department to investigate and address the situation.
At this time, all students and staff are safe, and there is no identified threat to the school community. The matter is being handled in accordance with APS policies, and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.
We understand that situations like this are concerning. Please know that the safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our top priority. We are grateful for the quick response and cooperation that helped ensure the situation was resolved safely.
Ammunition and weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited at school, and we take these incidents very seriously. As always, we encourage families to speak with their students about the importance of reporting anything that feels unsafe to a trusted adult or to school staff.
Please contact us or use the anonymous form to report any concerning behaviors or safety threats that you may see or hear about.
Thank you for your partnership and continued support.
Best Regards,
Alexander Duncan, III, Principal
Washington-Liberty High School
The other incident happened earlier this week at Abingdon Elementary School, in the Fairlington neighborhood.
On Tuesday, a teacher discovered a bullet in a hallway. It remains unclear how it got there.
The building was swept by an Arlington Public Schools security team but no threats were found, according to an email (below) from the principal.
Dear Abingdon Learning Community,
This morning, a staff member found a single bullet on the floor in the fifth-grade hallway. We take this matter very seriously. Our staff immediately notified the Arlington County Police Department (ACPD). The item was turned over to ACPD, and a report was filed.
In addition, our Safety, Security and Emergency Management (SSEM) team visited the school today and conducted precautionary sweeps of the building and the perimeter. Following their review and coordination with ACPD, there is no known threat to school safety at this time.
We have not identified the source of the bullet. It is important to note that our school building is frequently used after hours by community groups, evening programs and outside organizations. Because of this regular use, the item could have come from a variety of sources. Right now, there is no evidence of any student or staff member connecting it during the school day.
We are using this as an opportunity to remind students about the importance of reporting any concerning items or behaviors to a trusted adult right away. Weapons of any kind, including ammunition, are strictly prohibited on school grounds and are treated as serious offenses that are referred to law enforcement.
As always, our counselors and support teams are available to any student or staff member who needs support. Please know that safety remains our highest priority. We will continue to follow all established safety protocols to ensure a secure learning environment for every student.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me or a member of our administrative team.
Thank you for your continued partnership.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ed Acevedo
Principal
Abingdon Elementary School
While just two days apart, there is no indication that the incidents are otherwise connected.
Hat tip to Geoff C.
