Shooting Rumors At Robinson Secondary False: Police

Fairfax County Police say there wasn't a threat of a shooting at Robinson Secondary School despite rumors circulating around social media Thursday. Fairfax County Public Schools spokesman John Torre told Patch in an email families were notified and that the threats "were false rumors about a threat directed at the school."

The rumors started when a 15-year-old student posted an image of himself holding a toy airsoft gun on social media, according to police. No threats of any kind were made in the post.

Other students began seeing the post and shared it over social media. Rumors ranging from alleged threats made against an afternoon school assembly to a gun found at school began circulating. A number of kids texted their parents about the supposed threat during school.

Officers began investigating when a student emailed the school’s anonymous tip line and reported a possible threat of violence at this school. School resource officers determined there was no threat made and found no weapons at the school. Police say the student in question did not have access to a weapon or made a threat.

The student did admit to bringing the toy gun to school and led officers to a nearby creek off school property where he left it.

The 15-year-old is facing other charges, however. On Wednesday, officers found narcotics on the student who made the post. Drug charges are pending.

Fairfax County Police released a statement following the incident: "We commend the student who came forward anonymously with the concerns and continue to encourage anyone with information on potential school threats to do the same. Regardless of the source, we take all threats seriously and investigate each one swiftly and thoroughly. We work closely with Fairfax County Public Schools to maintain a safe environment for our children."

Police say the public would be notified in the case of a critical incident.