CORNELIUS, N.C. — Schools across the Carolinas have been hit with unfounded threats of violence since the Georgia shooting earlier this month.
Teens have been charged in connection to the school shooting threats made in Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, Caldwell and Burke counties this month.
The Chapel Hill Police Department determined a social media post threatening school violence at Chapel Hill, East Chapel Hill, and Carrboro high schools was not credible on Wednesday. In a statement, the agency said investigators identified a juvenile responsible for the overnight post and they are seeking a juvenile petition.
“Threats against anyone in our community, credible or not, are unacceptable and we must always take them seriously,” Chief Celisa Lehew said. “The community members who reported this, and our partnership with the school system, were essential to a quick resolution. We’re grateful for the team effort.”
Also, on Wednesday, the Matthews Police Department charged a 17-year-old student of CPCC-Levine with making a false report concerning mass violence on educational property.
William A. Hough High School in Cornelius was on a modified lockdown on the same day, according to the Cornelius Police Department. The modified lockdown has since been lifted, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools confirmed.
The threat was deemed not credible, CMS said.
In a message sent to parents, school leaders said it takes any reported or perceived threats, and that students violating the Code of Student Conduct by making a threat "will be disciplined accordingly." Parents were asked to talk with their kids about the seriousness of the situation.
"We understand that several students heard about the threat, and we want to assure you that we are doing all we can to ensure the safety and security of staff and students," the message said, in part.
Through tears, one mom told WCNC Charlotte that all of this was terrifying. While the threat was not credible, she came to the high school to be close to her child just in case.
These threats are no laughing matter and school officials, police and families are taking them very seriously.
“The scariest thing about it is that when you hear that there is a modified lockdown, you think it is going to be the same situation where it’s like a joke,” Avery Baker said. “But sometimes I think maybe they are using this as a decoy and they are actually going to do something.”
“A lot of it I’m just scared, I’m just nervous I just want to understand what is happening,” Jackson McCree, a student, said.
This is the second modified lockdown this week for Hough High School, which was also placed on modified lockdown as a precaution when nearby Bailey Middle School was evacuated because of a bomb threat earlier this week.
Across the border, the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division said it is aware of over 60 threats targeting schools across 23 counties leading to charges for 21 juveniles.
Threats disrupt learning, the education system and drain resources.
The National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) says it takes a team of school counselors, administrators, law enforcement and SROs to investigate these threats.
“To look at every aspect of this threat, looking at the student's history in terms of those levels of threats, and again, looking at the student capacity to carry out the threat,” Mo Canady, NASRO, Executive Director, said.
He said parents should speak to their kids about the seriousness of these actions that can lead to suspension, expulsion, and even criminal charges.
“When you make a threat like this, there's a charge that can absolutely go along with that all the way from a misdemeanor to a felony,” said Canady.
He adds you can’t ignore the mental health of students behind these incidents and wants to see more resources for students.
“When we think we have a threat, it's really a way of students crying out for help, not that that's an excuse, but it's a fact,” said Canady.
Credible and noncredible threats can also cause stress and anxiety and impact a student’s well-being. CMS says it has counselors available for students.