No Charges Filed Against Children Involved With Noose At Ashburn High School: Sheriff

ASHBURN, VA — The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office said it would not file charges regarding a noose outside Independence High School. Authorities said they identified two children involved in the incident.

Authorities said the noose was attached to a banner outside the high school's stadium on Sunday, March 6. In its initial report, the sheriff's office said two unknown people were seen in the area walking a small black and white dog.

Investigators said they identified the unknown people as a pair of juveniles. Neither of the children were students at Loudoun County Public Schools. Authorities did not provide any further details about the pair.

The sheriff's office did not say whether the children hung the noose, but they were "involved in the incident," according to a police report. The children will not face charges.

"The investigation determined the circumstances of the case did not meet the elements of a criminal act under the Code of Virginia," the sheriff's office said on Friday. "No charges will be filed."

Staff members at Independence High School said they found the noose on Monday, March 7. It was a teacher workday, so very few students were in the school.

"We reject and condemn the use of these intimidating, racist symbols and hateful demonstrations of any kind," Independence High School principal John Gabriel wrote in a letter to community members. "Please know they do not reflect our values at Independence High School."

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