A Suffolk police officer is sitting in jail this week, accused of threatening to shoot at a building — an allegation serious enough to land him behind bars while he remains employed on unpaid administrative leave. Kenneth Barrick, 29, was arrested and charged with threats to bomb or damage buildings, a felony under Virginia law.
According to WTKR, citing the Suffolk Police Department, Barrick was arrested and charged with a felony for allegedly threatening to shoot at a building. Barrick has worked as a police officer with the department since June 2022, the outlet reported. He was transported to Western Tidewater Regional Jail, where he remained at the time of the department's statement.
Department Response and Ongoing Investigations
Suffolk police placed Barrick on administrative leave without pay while an internal investigation is completed, per the same account relayed to WTKR. The department has not released additional details about what prompted the allegation or when it occurred.
Both the criminal case against Barrick and the department's internal affairs review are ongoing, the station reported, leaving unresolved questions about what exactly led to the arrest and how the case will proceed. WAVY.com also reported on the arrest, noting that Barrick is from Virginia Beach and that he was arrested and charged with threats to bomb or damage buildings on Monday.
What the Charge Carries Under Virginia Law
The charge against Barrick falls under Virginia Code § 18.2-83, which covers threats to bomb, damage, or discharge a firearm within or at buildings or means of transportation. Per the statute published by the Virginia General Assembly's legislative information system, such conduct is classified as a Class 5 felony, with an exception stating that a person under 18 found guilty would instead face a Class 1 misdemeanor. The full statutory elements and how they apply to Barrick's case have not been detailed publicly.
Neither Barrick's account of events nor any court filings in the case have been made public so far. Suffolk police have said only that both the criminal and internal investigations remain active, and WAVY.com said it will continue to provide updates as the case develops.
