Va. Police Officer Accused of Threatening to Shoot Up Own Precinct

A Suffolk police officer faces criminal charges after authorities say he sent a text threatening to "shoot up" the precinct where he and fellow officers work.

By Emma Rose Brown

Source The Virginian-Pilot

Nov. 5, 2026

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A Suffolk police officer was arrested after investigators say he texted a threat to "shoot up" a precinct also known as Sector 2.
Kenneth Ryan Barrick, 29, allegedly sent the text Monday morning, later admitted making the statements and was charged with making threats to discharge a firearm at a building.
The four-year department veteran has been placed on administrative leave without pay while both criminal and internal affairs investigations continue.

A sign for Suffolk Police Department's Precinct II — Suffolk police arrested one of their own after investigators say he threatened Precinct II in a text message and later admitted making the statements.

A Suffolk police officer was arrested Monday and is accused of threatening to “shoot up” a police precinct.

According to a criminal complaint, Kenneth Ryan Barrick, 29, sent a text to an unidentified person at 10:41 Monday morning, saying, “I’m going to shoot sector 2 up.” He added, “No one up there is worth a dam.”

“Sector 2” is Suffolk Police Precinct II off Bridge Road.

Barrick admitted to police he made the statements and was charged with threats to discharge a firearm within or at a building. He has been an officer with the department for four years.

Barrick was placed on administrative leave without pay pending an internal investigation. He was taken to Western Tidewater Regional Jail following his arrest and will be arraigned Thursday morning.

Suffolk Police Department Public Information Officer Mandy Bartholomew did not respond to a request for information about how the department became aware of the texts.

Both the criminal and internal affairs investigations remain active.

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