CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. — At least one person is being investigated after two days of false bomb threats in Cabarrus County Monday and Tuesday.
"We have identified an individual and we will be charging this individual," Sheriff Van Shaw said Tuesday.
Shaw said this person, who he did not publically identify because of the individual's age, was connected with a bomb threat reported at Northwest High School Monday. There is an active investigation to determine if this person, or other individuals, were also responsible Tuesday for additional threats against other schools: Cox Mill Elementary, Cox Mill High, Northwest Cabarrus High and Jay M. Robinson High schools.
A threat was also reported Tuesday at Mooresville High School in neighboring Iredell County.
"I want the parents to know they can return tomorrow with their kids and we've taken care of that," Shaw said.
Some of the threats were received by phone while others were written notes, according to Shaw. No evidence of explosive material was found at any of the schools.
"We will prosecute to the full extent of the law," Dr. John Kopicki, superintendent of Cabarrus County Schools, promised Tuesday. "We're going to take every threat seriously."
Shaw said he has already spoken with the county district attorney with the intention of later filing charges in connection to the threats.
Shaw and his deputies are working with the Concord Police Department, the Mooresville Police Department, the Iredell County Sheriff's office, state and federal authorities to conduct the investigation. CMPD also sent canines officers from their bomb squad to Cabarrus County Tuesday to assist with the investigation.
A student at Cox Mill High School told WCNC Charlotte's Shamarria Morrison there was some confusion Tuesday when they were placed under an initial lockdown. Classes later resumed until students were then prompted to evacuate from the building as the investigation continued.
Parents were kept off school property during the investigation. Morrison saw parents inside the cars lined up on the streets of an adjacent neighborhood.
"Very concerned as to what's happening in the district, the world ... It's just not something that I'd like to see my grandchild go through," one woman told WCNC Charlotte.
The situation at Cox Mill was resolved shortly after 2:30 p.m. Students were allowed to leave campus and parents were allowed to pick up their students.
In Mooresville, school district officials evacuated all students and staff from the high school starting at 10:30 a.m. In a message to parents, Mooresville High School officials confirmed the building was evacuated due to a phone threat against the school.
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