QUINCY, W.Va. — More than 900 Riverside High School students stayed home Tuesday following a violent threat made by a now-former student.
Enrollment at the eastern Kanawha County school exceeds 1,200, but principal Valerie Harper said she understood why only 350 showed up for class.
“You’ve got to rebuild your trust whenever you have a situation like that,” Harper said. “It will be on people’s minds. It’s important for us to continue those discussions.”
Word spread Monday that a male student—who reportedly planned to drop out of school Tuesday—threatened to bring a gun to school on his last day and “shoot up” Riverside High. Police said they were familiar with the teen and were monitoring the situation.
Harper confirmed Tuesday the boy is no longer a student at her school.
With an increased police presence combing the school, no problems arose. Harper said she wants to continue having officers on campus in coming days to reassure parents that Riverside High is safe.
“All I can do is be open, be honest, give them the information I have,” the principal said. “I’ll try to look at every avenue, every window, to make sure we are taking every precaution possible.”