CHARLOTTE, N.C. — East Mecklenburg High School will have extra security on Wednesday after multiple threats on social media, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools confirmed.
A district spokesperson told WCNC Charlotte administrators are aware of these threats and are investigating. East Meck will be under a modified lockdown on Wednesday. CMS said any students responsible for the threats would be punished according to the district's Code of Conduct and may face legal consequences.
One parent told WCNC Charlotte they weren't comfortable sending their kids to school due to threats. The anonymous parent accused the district of leaving parents and students "in the dark" and shared a screenshot of the alleged threat with WCNC Charlotte.
The threats come a few months after a teenager in Texas was linked to threats at Hough High School in Cornelius. Dozens of schools across the Carolinas received threats in the wake of the Apalachee High School shooting in Georgia, with arrests being made in numerous counties in the Charlotte area.
Principal Steve Drye sent the following message to parents:
"East Mecklenburg High School families, it is Wednesday, December 11, this is Principal Drye. Our school has received numerous threats via social media. Out of an abundance of caution, our school will operate on a modified lockdown today. Law enforcement, both CMPD and CMSPD, and school leadership have been investigating the matter thoroughly overnight, and are working to resolve the issues surrounding the threats. Please know that the safety and security of our students and staff remain our top priority.
While the school is in modified lockdown, learning and teaching will continue as usual throughout the day. There will be limited movement of students through the hallways. There will be extra security at the school today as a precaution.
Please know that any reports of threats or perceived threats by students are taken very seriously and are a violation of the Code of Student Conduct. Students in violation will be disciplined accordingly and may even face legal consequences. Those who make threats against the school who are not students could face criminal charges.
We ask that you continue to partner with us in creating a safe learning environment for all students by reinforcing the seriousness of this situation with your child(ren). If you or your child are aware of any threats, you are encouraged to report the threats to authorities, tell a trusted adult or report it to the school. Families and students are also reminded to use the "Say Something" app for anonymous reporting of any concerns or suspicious activity. Using this reporting system and/or telling a trusted adult at school are the most efficient ways to communicate concerns. This allows us to make an assessment and alert law enforcement.
As always, the safety and well-being of our students and staff is our top priority. Thank you for your continued support of East Mecklenburg High School."