State Police issue statement on activities involving schools Friday morning

Shortly before 10 a.m. Friday (Jan. 25), the Surry County, North Carolina Sheriff’s Office notified the Virginia State Police that a male suspect they were searching for was traveling north on Interstate 77 into Virginia. The suspect is being investigated by the Sheriff’s Office for a threat of violence involving a school. The vague threat did not specify a name or location of any school.

Out of an abundance of caution, state police notified school districts along I-77 and I-81. It was up to the individual school districts to decide how to respond/manage the situation.

There is nothing to indicate the male suspect left the interstate as he traveled through Southwest Virginia. The sheriff’s office has notified the Virginia State Police that their latest evidence indicates he has left Virginia.

State police concluded its role and search at approximately 12:30 p.m.