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Southampton County Public Schools Chief Operations Officer Will Melbye reported Friday afternoon, Jan. 31, that local law enforcement deemed Southampton Middle School secure following a lockdown and investigation into a weapon possibly being present at the school.

In a letter to parents and guardians, Melbye wrote, “This afternoon, the Southampton Middle School administration received a report of a student intending to bring a weapon to school and harm others. The school was placed on lockdown while the investigation was conducted. Following a thorough sweep of the building, the Southampton County Sheriff’s (Office) deemed the building and premises secure.”

SCSO Detective Sgt. Benjamin Grizzard said there was a report of a firearm possibly being at SMS.

“K-9s from Southampton County Sheriff’s Office, Suffolk Police Department, Suffolk Fire Marshals Office, Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office and Virginia State Police completed a thorough search of the building, and no firearm or firearm ammunition was located,” he stated. “Therefore, the school was turned back over to school administrators so that normal operations could resume.”

Melbye expressed appreciation for the collaboration and prompt response of the sheriff’s offices from Southampton, Isle of Wight and Suffolk, along with the SPD and VSP.

To the parents and guardians, he stated, “Thank you for your patience, understanding and cooperation as we continue to ensure the safety of our students. We maintain the mantra of, ‘If you see something, say something.’”