Threat Of Violence Force Cancellation Of Gunston Middle School Dance: Police

ARLINGTON, VA — Gunston Middle School canceled its eighth grade dance scheduled for Friday night after messages threatening violence were reportedly circulated in the community, according to officials.

Both Arlington Public Schools and the Arlington County Police Department received information “regarding possible messages circulating in the community referencing individuals interrupting and potentially causing violence at tonight’s eighth-grade dance at Gunston Middle School,” the police department said Friday.

The decision to cancel the dance, first reported by ARLnow, was a “difficult decision,” but “the safety of our students and staff is my top priority,” Gunston Middle School Principal Dr. Lori Wiggins said in an email Friday to the families of Gunston Middle School students.

Arlington County Police said in a statement that they are continuing to investigate the threat.

The decision to cancel the Gunston Middle School dance comes as the nation tries to process the horror of the mass school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, where an 18-year-old gunman killed 19 elementary school students and two teachers.

A National Gun Violence Awareness Day rally will be held in Arlington on Saturday, organized by the Virginia chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a group that supports stricter gun laws. The rally will take place at 5 p.m. on Saturday at Hope Garden near Courthouse Plaza in Arlington.

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