ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, Va. (ROCKTOWN NOW) – UPDATE at 5:45am: Rockingham County Sheriff Bryan Hutcheson says that a 14-year-old has been identified and there are no remaining threats.
Superintendent Dr. Larry Shifflett issued the following email to parents as an update:
“RCPS Parents and Guardians,

I am writing this message to provide an update on the email sent earlier regarding the threat circulating on social media regarding Plains Elementary, J. Frank Hillyard Middle School and Broadway High School. The Rockingham County Sheriff’s Department took the lead in the investigation and have been able to identify the source of the threat. This individual has confessed to posting the threatening statement and is being handled through the legal system and according to school board policy. We can confidently report that there is no threat to any school in Rockingham County and school will be on a regular schedule on Friday, September 20, 2024. Out of an abundance of caution, the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Department will have officers stationed at each of the three schools on Friday.”

Three Rockingham County Schools are the latest targets in a rash of threats circulated on social media. 
In an email to parents, RCPS Superintendent Dr. Larry Shifflett wrote that Plains Elementary, J. Frank Hillyard Middle School and Broadway High School were identified in the threat. At this time, the credibility of the threat has not been determined, and there has been no announcement regarding whether or not the schools mentioned will be open tomorrow.

The email reads as follows:

“RCPS Parents and Guardians,

We are sending you this message to let you know that we have become aware of a threat toward Plains Elementary, J. Frank Hillyard Middle School, and Broadway High School that is circulating social media (sic) this evening. We are working closely with the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Department to investigate this threat to ensure the safety of all students and staff. We thank everyone who has provided information about this message and we want all parents and students to know that we are working diligently to identify the source of the post. Transparency is a top priority for our school division and we will provide updates as we receive additional information regarding this fluid situation.
Larry Shifflett, Ed.D.
Division Superintendent”
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.