Yorktown High Caller Told Police They Were Armed And Holding 2 Hostages

ARLINGTON, VA — Arlington County Police released more information Friday about the lockdown at Yorktown High School on Thursday afternoon, including that they had made telephone contact with the suspect, according to a police release.

Officers responded to the scene around 1:26 p.m., after someone contacted the police saying that the school office had received a threatening phone call, in which a student said they were going to shoot up the school.

After the school was put on lockdown, police made telephone contact with the caller, who said they were armed and inside a school bathroom with two hostages.

Police began evacuating students shortly before 3 p.m. The students were bused to the Knights of Columbus, located at 5115 Little Falls Road, where parents could pick them up.

Searching the school, police found no evidence of the suspect's claims and the lockdown was lifted shortly after 5 p.m.

“Yesterday’s response highlights how seriously the Arlington County Police Department takes reports of potential violence within our community,” said Chief Andy Penn, in a release. “I commend our officers and public safety partners on their immediate and coordinated response to ensure the safety of our community. I recognize incidents involving threats have significant impacts on the wellbeing of all involved. I want to thank the Yorktown High School students, staff, parents and community members for their patience and support during yesterday’s incident. We will continue to work collaboratively with Arlington Public Schools to ensure the safety of students and staff.”

During their investigation, police determined that the suspect's call had originated out of state. Police ask anyone with information about this incident to call the ACPD Tip Line at 703-228-4180 or ACPDTipline@arlingtonva.us. Anonymous information may also be submitted via the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

Due to the evacuation, buses from Taylor, Tuckahoe, Cardinal, Jamestown, Discovery and Nottingham were delayed, according to an APS post on Twitter.

Patch editor Mark Hand was outside the school Thursday afternoon, talking to parents, as the evacuation got underway. One parent told him that they received a text from their child before they received the text message from the school.

None of the parents gathered outside Yorktown knew exactly why the lockdown was declared.

A 10th grader told Hand shortly before 4 p.m. that students were not told what happened and why they were evacuated. She said she wasn’t afraid.

It was the first lockdown of school year at Yorktown. Her mother received both a text and email about the lockdown and was able to pick up her daughter at the school.

As of 4 p.m., many students were still inside the school waiting for the police to dismiss them. "We are all stir crazy, but we are all fine," a teacher told Patch shortly after 4 p.m.