CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police and the FBI are working together to investigate a string of violence and violent threats occurring in multiple local schools in a single day.
CMPD officers were notified Wednesday around 10:40 a.m. that a student had brought a weapon onto the campus of South Mecklenburg High School. During the investigation, officials identified the suspect as 17-year-old Fernando Vasquez and located a firearm in his car. Officials said the student had left the firearm in the car while he attended baseball practice. He was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm on educational property. The firearm was also seized and turned in as evidence.
NBC Charlotte is choosing to show Vasquez's booking photo and name because he’s charged with a felony as an adult.
Meanwhile, at Kennedy Middle School, several students are accused of throwing food and other objects Wednesday afternoon around 2 p.m. A resource officer said that an object struck a victim in the back of the head in a classroom. Additionally, while walking out of the classroom, the victim was slapped across the back of the head when he turned to make a comment to fellow students.
At Community Middle School on Wednesday, a school resource officer (SRO) investigated a threat made involving shooting a school bus. The SRO and principal spoke with the student they believe responsible for the threat, and the student was allowed back on campus Thursday. Police officers also responded to a person reporting a threat against Community Middle School received via Snapchat.
Additionally, authorities arrested a 14-year-old for a string of threats made on social media Wednesday towards multiple local middle schools.
“The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Police Department take threats of violence towards students and staff very seriously and are currently investigating all these incidents,” CMPD said Thursday.