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According to a press release from the City of Suffolk, Suffolk Police and Suffolk Fire and Rescue are investigating a threat to school safety at John F. Kennedy Middle School. On Jan. 9, 2024, at approximately 8:55 a.m. Suffolk Police, Suffolk Fire & Rescue, and the Suffolk Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the scene following notification from school administrators.  The threat, according to the release, was received via phone, and included explicit references to the possibility of bombing or shooting within the school premises.

Students have been temporarily relocated to Booker T. Washington Elementary School while a sweep of the building is conducted.

No injuries were reported. According to city officials, the all-clear was given at 11:30 a.m. SPS announced early dismissal due to inclement weather Tuesday afternoon, with middle schools set to release at noon, according to officials, students were dismissed from Booker T. Washington despite earlier reports they would be transported back to JFK.

Anyone with information about this incident should contact Suffolk Police or Suffolk Crime Line. Information can be submitted online at www.p3tips.com, visit the Suffolk Police Department website (www.suffolkva.us/spd) and look for the Suffolk Crime Line link, or go to the Suffolk Police Department Facebook page at www.facebook.com/suffolkpolicedepartment. You can also call 888-LOCK-U-UP, 1-888-562-5887, Option 5. Once a person submits a tip, they will be given a TIP ID and password. With this information, they can log in at p3tips.com and submit follow-up information, engage in two-way dialogue, be informed of the outcome of the tip, and access any pertinent reward information.