Green sentenced for role in death threats against Appomattox students

Today in Appomattox County Circuit Court, 21-year-old Mitariq E. Green, of Meherrin, was sentenced to serve eight years and five months for his role in a March 2022 incident in which death threats were made to two juveniles at Appomattox County High School.

Green had pleaded guilty on Jan. 26 to felony premeditated attempted murder, felony firearm possession on school property, felony firearm possession by a violent felon and misdemeanor carrying a concealed weapon.

Green and co-defendant Olivia Rose Hurt, 20, of Cartersville, arrived in the parking lot of Appomattox County High School on March 28, 2022, after they had been arguing via Instagram messages with two juvenile female students. Included in those messages were a number of death threats and threats of violence toward the students.

A school guidance counselor was notified of the threats and, while reviewing the messages on one of the girls' cell phones at the school, another message popped up from Hurt stating, "I'm here."

Through a series of tactics, assisted by the counselor and juveniles, School Resource Officer Dep. Daniel Gunter was able to locate the vehicle in the school's parking lot and call for extra law enforcement. After being approached by officers, Hurt, who was driving the car, and Green fled the scene and led police on a high speed chase that ended when they crashed in Prince Edward County.

Police found a firearm and ammunition belonging to Green in the vehicle. As a convicted violent felon, he was not permitted to possess or handle a firearm.

Green stated that he didn't believe anyone would be shot or killed at the school and that he only carried the gun for self-defense. However, Appomattox County Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Kia Scott argued that the presence of the firearm after death threats were made does not validate that claim.

Scott also told the court that the incident has caused a lot of distress among the victims as well as school district personnel, who have since beefed up security measures in the school district.

Green's sentence was at the high end of the guidelines that were provided by Probation and Parole. He also received 12 years and seven months of suspended time along with mandates of 20 years good behavior and three years supervised probation.

Hurt's sentencing date is scheduled for May 25.

Find out more in the upcoming April 5 issue of the Times Virginian newspaper. Pick up a copy or subscribe at www.timesvirginian.com/subscriber_services to view the full article in the e-edition version.