Girl, 17, arrested for bomb threat called into Dunbar High during Second Gentleman's visit
WASHINGTON (7News) — A 17-year-old girl is facing serious charges after authorities linked her to a bomb threat called into Dunbar High School in February.
During the incident, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff was in the middle of a presentation when he was escorted out of the room by the Secret Service for the bomb threat declared at Dunbar High School. He was in the school's museum for about five minutes before a member of his security detail approached him saying, "we have to go." Emhoff was removed from the building into his waiting motorcade.
READ | Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff whisked away after bomb threat at Dunbar High School
Dunbar's principal released a statement following the incident detailing what happened. They said the school was evacuated at 2:34 p.m. and an announcement came on over the intercom asking students and teachers to evacuate the school.
“We had a threat today to the facility so we did — basically we took the precaution of evacuating everybody, as you saw. I think everyone is safe," said DCPS press secretary Enrique Gutierrez. "The building is clear. But I don’t have any specific details at this moment. It was a bomb threat."
Dunbar Principal Nadine Smith added, "our protocol is to clear the building and move the kids away. DCPS just gave us directions to make sure, to go ahead and send the kids home. We won’t be able to clear the building for probably another hour or two.”
The Secret Service also issued the following statement after the reported threat:
“This afternoon during an event attended by a Secret Service protectee, the Secret Service was made aware of a threat to the venue and immediately evacuated the protectee. At this time there is no information to indicate the threat was directed toward our protectee. In order to maintain operational security, the Secret Service does not discuss our protectees or the means and methods used to conduct our protective operations.”
Emhoff was at the high school to learn about their Black History curriculum, including a program in partnership with the National Park Service.
The ATF sent a certified explosion specialist to the school.
At this time, it remains unknown if the 17-year-old girl was a student at the school. The identity of the girl has not been released.
D.C. Police said the investigation is ongoing.
