Gwinnett County school officials increased security Friday at Richards Middle School in response to a threat made on social media.

Principal Mark McCain contacted parents late Thursday about the unspecified threat, district spokeswoman Sloan Roach said. Two Gwinnett school police vehicles were at the school Friday morning as parents dropped off their children for school.

Roach said the school did have a high number of parents who checked out their children from school Friday.

Richards Middle Schools is located off Sugarloaf Parkway, near Lawrenceville Highway.

About the Author

Keep Reading

A woman holds a sign in protest during an Atlanta School Board meeting in Atlanta on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. APS held its final vote on school consolidation plans, approving several school closures. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com

Featured

Managing Partner at Atlantica Properties, Darion Dunn (center) talks with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during a tour following the ribbon cutting of Waterworks Village as part of the third phase of the city’s Rapid Housing Initiative on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025.
(Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez