Richmond Polling Sites Receive Threats; Voting Continues

Shooting and bomb threats at three Richmond polling locations prompted police checks, with no immediate threat found.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a plain brick civic building facade with a single still flag, in deep red and cream. — Richmond police checked three polling locations after shooting and bomb threats were reported Tuesday, finding no immediate threat as voting continued at every site. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Shooting threats were reported at Thomas Jefferson High School and Barack Obama Elementary School, and a bomb threat at Albert Hill Middle School, on Tuesday afternoon. Richmond Police responded to all three locations, and voting continues at each site.

Why it matters

The threats came on Election Day at polling places, raising questions about voter safety and election security in the city. Officers found no suspicious activity, and officials are coordinating to keep voting secure.

Three Richmond polling locations were targeted by threats on Election Day, according to police and election officials. Officers found no suspicious activity, but the origin of the threats has not been identified.

The players

Richmond Police

The Richmond Police Department is the municipal law enforcement agency responsible for public safety in the city of Richmond, Virginia.

The details

Richmond Police responded to Thomas Jefferson High School, Barack Obama Elementary School and Albert Hill Middle School to assess the threats and conduct security checks. The Office of Elections is working closely with law enforcement to maintain a secure voting environment, and voting continues at all three sites.

12:42 p.m. Tuesday: shooting threat reported at Thomas Jefferson High School.
1:43 p.m. Tuesday: shooting threat reported at Barack Obama Elementary School.
About 2:54 p.m. Tuesday: bomb threat reported at Albert Hill Middle School.
7 p.m. Tuesday: Virginia polls close.

Seasonal Patterns

Threats directed at polling places during Virginia's statutory voting window, which closes at 7 p.m., occurred while voting remained open at all three sites. The incidents took place on Election Day itself, within the hours when Virginia law requires polls to stay open.

Voters heading to the affected Richmond polling sites can expect voting to continue, with police present for security checks. Polls remain open until 7 p.m., so those who were deterred earlier in the day still have time to cast a ballot.

The takeaway

Election-day threats were investigated and found to have no immediate danger, and voting remained open throughout. Voters who were unsettled by the reports still have until 7 p.m. to cast their ballots.