The Moore County School district is investigating a shooting threat.
Moore County Schools on Tuesday afternoon released a statement about the threat.
“This morning, we became aware that a local business received an anonymous threat call regarding a potential school shooting,” said Moore County Schools Communication Director Charles Batchelor in a statement to Sandhills Sentinel. “The call did not specify a particular school or time. As a precautionary measure, our campuses have had an increased presence of local law enforcement in collaboration with the Moore County Schools Police. The threat is under investigation. We will continue to operate on a normal schedule today.”
On Thursday, Southern Pines Police Department released a statement about the incident.
“On January 16, 2024, a local gun shop received a phone call from an unknown caller using a number not from this area,” said Southern Pines Police Deputy Chief Charles Campbell in a statement to Sandhills Sentinel. “The caller told the business owner that he wanted to shoot up a school but provided no further details before hanging up. The Southern Pines Police Department has been working with local, state, and federal partners to identify the source of this call. Although a specific school was never mentioned, Moore County Schools Police and other local agencies were notified of the incident. Overt and covert patrols have been increased at public and private schools. At this time, there is no actionable or credible information supporting this threat. The investigation into the identity and location of the caller is ongoing. The Southern Pines Police Department asks the community to be alert and vigilant and to report any suspicious persons, vehicles or activity.”
On Thursday, Moore County Schools released an updated statement.
“We are providing an update regarding Tuesday’s announcement concerning a threat to schools within Moore County,” said the school district.
“On Tuesday, at approximately 11:40 a.m., we received a notification from the Southern Pines Police Department regarding an anonymous threat call made to a local business, pertaining to a potential school shooting. However, the call did not provide specific information about any particular time or school in Moore County.
“In response to the anonymous and vague nature of the call, and with the support of local police agencies, we promptly implemented precautionary measures by increasing the presence of local law enforcement officers on or near our school campuses. Moore County Schools Police determined that with these measures in place, our schools were safe to continue normal operations.
“Today, we have been notified by the Southern Pines Police Department that they have been working with local, state, and federal partners to identify the source of this call, and there is no actionable or credible information supporting the threat at this time.
“The threat remains under investigation with the Southern Pines Police Department, and we will share any pertinent information as it becomes available.”
