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Lakeland High School evacuated after bomb threat, placed on code orange third time in a week

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Posted at 9:44 AM, Mar 22, 2022
and last updated 2022-03-22 13:23:40-04

SUFFOLK, Va. - Lakeland High School has been evacuated after authorities received reports of a bomb threat Tuesday morning March 22, 2022.

Emergency Communications was notified of the incident at 9:19 a.m.

This incident comes a day after Lakeland recieved a bomb threat, and marks the third time the school has been placed on code orange within the past week.

One Lakeland High mother, Gertrude Mitchell, says she and her fellow parents are fed up.

Mitchell says she is debating pulling her daughter Mary from Lakeland High due to safety concerns.

"I didn't want her to get blown up or anything to happen to her," she said. "She is my last baby out of 10... I can't replace her."

Related: Lakeland High School placed on lockdown after multiple fights break out in school cafeteria

A student was arrested following the bomb threat reports received Monday, March 21, 2022.

Related: Student arrested after bomb threat at Lakeland high School, all clear given

Suffolk Police and Suffolk Fire & Rescue are on the scene at Lakeland High School.

The incident remains under investigation at this time.

Suffolk Fire Marshall Christopher Cornwell is reminding students that it is a felony to make any sort of bomb threat, regardless if it is through a phone call, text, or even joking with friends.

"When you make threats such as these its a felony, they can follow children and adults for the rest of their lives," he said. "It's a very serious offense."

Officer Cornwell says a student over the age of 15 that makes a bomb threat can, and likely will be tried as an adult.

The felony charges will result in one to ten years in prison.

Following these events, FBI Norfolktweeted out resources to help explain the consequences of making false bomb threats.

FBI Norfolk said in a statement, “The FBI takes all threats seriously and we work with our partners to determine any credibility”.