Update: Page County woman charged after comments made at school board meeting

PAGE COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - The Luray Police Department charged a woman who made a perceived threat at Thursday night’s Page County School Board meeting.

According to police, Amelia King, 42, was charged with a violation of the Code of Virginia 18.2-60 Oral Threat While on School Property.

Throughout the day on Friday Luray Police worked with the Page County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the incident and contacted both national and state agencies to determine how to best move forward.

Luray Police Chief C.S. “Bow” Cook says that after consulting with state police and thoroughly reviewing the Virginia Code the department determined that charging King with a misdemeanor violation of Virginia Code 18.2-60 was the appropriate course of action.

The Page County School Board met Thursday night to vote in favor of Governor Glenn Youngkin’s executive order, making masks a choice for students.

During the public comment period, King said, “No mask mandates. My child, my children will not come to school on Monday with a mask on. Alright? That’s not happening. And I will bring every single gun loaded and ready.”

The school board cut her off for exceeding her three minutes and she responded with “I’ll see you all on Monday.”

King later sent an apology to the school board that was read aloud at the end of Thursday night’s meeting.

Local law enforcement stepped up its presence at schools within the county on Friday. There will again be an increased presence on Monday.

In a statement on Thursday before King was charged, Page County superintendent Dr. Antonia Fox said in part, “Not only comments such as these go against everything we wish to model for our students, they go against the very nature of how as a community should interact with each other. Violence and threats are never acceptable and appropriate.”

A spokesperson for Governor Youngkin said the governor does not condone violence or threats of any kind.

According to police, the magistrate has released Mrs. King on a $5,000.00 unsecured bond. Her court date is set for 11 a.m. Feb. 17 at the Page County District Court.

Luray Police Chief “Bow” Cook said in part of a statement to WHSV that despite what some may think King received the appropriate charge for her offense and her charge is in the hands of the courts now.

He says that has bond restrictions and has been trespassed from all Page County Public School properties.

On Saturday WHSV reached out to members of the Page County School board for comment and received a statement from School Board Chair Megan Gordon that can be read below:

As a division, we are saddened that this event has occurred for our school division and our community. There was a sense of shock when the statement was made during the meeting. We continue to work with our partners in law enforcement to ensure a smooth and safe school experience for students and staff on Monday and we are grateful for their continued support. We are working to repair the damage that has been done to our division and our community.

We ask that we center our focus on working together, being civil to one another regardless of our position on various issues, supporting our teachers and staff as they navigate the constant changes associated with COVID, and helping our students stay focused on their learning.

Page County Public Schools also sent out updated mask guidance to parents on Saturday which can be found below.

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