3 CMS schools placed on lockdown, two others receive a bomb threat, officials say
Police responded to a tip about a non-specific bomb threat at North Mecklenburg High School on Wednesday, bringing the total number of bomb threats in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in a 24-hour period to two, according to district officials.
Three CMS schools were placed on lockdown Wednesday morning, and police responded to a fourth school Tuesday night after it received a bomb threat, CMS officials said.
Huntersville police investigated the North Mecklenburg High bomb threat, and a message was sent to parents Wednesday morning.
Olympic High, Kennedy Middle and Steele Creek Elementary were placed on lockdown due to police activity in the area, CMS said in an email to The Charlotte Observer and other media.
The schools appeared to still be on lockdown at 10 a.m., although a CMS spokeswoman said police had “contained” the nearby incident ... so (the lockdowns) should be lifted imminently.”
Tuesday night, Hough High in Cornelius “received a tip about a bomb threat they saw that was not necessarily directed at the school itself,” according to the CMS email.
“Out of an abundance of caution, law enforcement responded to Hough High School to investigate the non-specific threat.”
Cornelius and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Police are investigating the call.
“Those found to make threats will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” CMS officials said.
CMS spokeswoman Cassie Fambro said she didn’t know if the bomb threat calls to North Meck High and Hough High were robocalls, but she confirmed the threats were reported through the CMS Say Something app.
In Cabarrus County, Cox Mill High School was evacuated Wednesday morning for the second day in a row due to a third bomb threat.
“Local law enforcement is on site and conducting a sweep with their bomb units,” school officials said in a message to parents.
In a message to parents Wednesday morning, Hough High Principal David Farley said he wanted to “reassure” the school community that “all incidents are actively investigated with our local law enforcement partners and school resource officers. Any reports of threats or perceived threats are taken very seriously, and law enforcement is notified immediately.”
“All incidents of threats or school disruption are handled according to the Code of Student Conduct and can have serious consequences, including legal action,” Farley said.
He told parents to encourage their children “to tell you or a trusted adult, if they know about the source of a threat, or report it on the Say Something app.”
North Mecklenburg High Principal Stephanie Hood sent almost the exact same message to parents Wednesday, reassuring parents and students that “all incidents are actively investigated with our local law enforcement partners and school resource officers.”
“Please encourage your children to tell you or a trusted adult, if they know about the source of a threat, or report it on the Say Something app,” Hood said.
On Tuesday, four Cabarrus County schools were evacuated after receiving bomb threats, and a person of interest is suspected of sending threatening notes to one school, officials said.
Mooresville High School in Iredell County also received a threat Tuesday and dismissed students early.
This is a developing story.
This story was originally published September 21, 2022 at 10:33 AM.
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