Fairfax City police have determined that a bomb threat targeting Fairfax High School was unfounded.
A “large” number of police officers descended on the school at 3501 Lion Run this morning (Monday) in response to a bomb threat, the City of Fairfax Police Department said on social media shortly after 9 a.m.
No students or faculty were present, because, like other local public schools, Fairfax High School is closed today for Diwali. However, police still advised community members to avoid the area while they swept the premises for potentially dangerous devices.
No bombs were found, Fairfax City police announced at 11:21 a.m. after completing the sweep.
“Officers are clearing the scene. We will continue to investigate the source of the threat,” the police department said, adding that anyone with information can contact officers at 703-293-7122.
The department didn’t provide any additional information beyond its social media posts, including on how it became aware of the threat.
UPDATE: 11:21 a.m.
The sweep of the school is complete. Nothing was found. Officers are clearing the scene. We will continue to investigate the source of the threat. If you have any information 703-293-7122
— Fairfax City Police (@FairfaxCityPD) October 20, 2025
Police in Alexandria also investigated a threat of “possible explosive devices” at that city’s high school this morning. As in Fairfax City, no devices were ultimately found, but Alexandria City High School staff were sent home “out of caution.”
It’s unclear whether the threats were connected.
Last year, schools in Virginia saw a spike in false threats of violence, particularly following a September school shooting in Georgia that killed four people. In response to a surge in threats over social media, Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid and Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis urged parents to talk to their children about using social media responsibly.
“As County leaders, let us be clear that we will work quickly to identify those who make these threats,” Reid and Davis said in the Dec. 10, 2024 message. “If identified, these individuals face serious consequences including the very real possibility of criminal charges. What may be regarded as a joke, can damage a young person’s future.”
