On the anniversary of the power grid attack that caused a widespread power outage in Moore County last year, Sheriff Ronnie Fields released a statement on Monday, Nov. 27. There have been no arrests in the case.
On Dec. 3, 2022, two Duke Energy electrical substations in Carthage and West End were damaged by gunfire, knocking out power for five days for 45,000 residents and businesses.
“As Sheriff, I want to assure you our investigation into the power attacks has not stopped,” said Fields in a statement issued to Sandhills Sentinel. “My Detectives and our partners at the FBI continue to work tirelessly on this case. We have pursued hundreds of leads since the start of the investigation and continue to receive them. We have scoured local businesses and residential areas and have conducted hundreds of interviews in search of any information associated with the attacks. Although it is not prudent to share all the details of this case, we are working diligently to hold those responsible accountable for their actions and see justice served for our communities.”
Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields holds a press conference in December 2022 after our power grid was attacked/Sandhills Sentinel.
Just after 7 p.m. that night, several communities across the county began experiencing power outages. The first outage was reported in Carthage. Less than an hour later, power outages spread to the southern end of the county and northward to the Lee County line.
Law enforcement responded to a number of power substations across Moore County after the power outage began.
“As utility companies began responding to the different substations, evidence was discovered that indicated that intentional vandalism had occurred at multiple sites,” said Fields on the night of the attack. “Moore County Sheriff’s Deputies and various other law enforcement agencies within the county responded to the different areas and are providing further site security.”
The death of a Pinehurst woman the night of the attack was classified as a homicide on her autopsy report. “While the decedent succumbed to her pre-existing natural disease, the preceding failure of her oxygen concentrator as a result of a power outage precipitated her demise through exacerbation of her breathing insufficiency. And since the power outage involved reportedly occurred in the setting of a criminal firearm attack on the regional electrical distribution substation, the manner of death is best classified as Homicide,” read the autopsy report from the state’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner obtained by WRAL News.
The county declared a State of Emergency and implemented a curfew. A shelter was set up at the Moore County Sports Complex in Carthage.
The Sheriff’s Department held several press conferences during the power outage to keep the community informed. Legislators were briefed on the investigation and attended several of the press conferences.
“In addition to the ongoing investigation, our office has worked directly with Senator Tom McInnis and other legislators on taking measures to improve infrastructure security,” said Fields in Monday’s statement. “As such, with the passing of Senate Bill 58, penalties have been strengthened for violators of the law who commit property crimes against utility companies. I was also able to meet with U. S. Congressman Richard Hudson and other members of Congress in Pinehurst at a Field Hearing to discuss the importance of infrastructure security on a national level.”
Rep. Richard Hudson visits the Carthage substation after it was attacked on Dec. 3, 2022./Contributed photo.
Hudson released the following statement in recognition of the anniversary.
“One year ago, our community was intentionally attacked. While the days following the attack were difficult, I am so proud of how our community came together in the face of adversity.
“Over the last year, I have focused on leading discussions and advancing legislation at the federal level to improve our grid resilience, harden our infrastructure, and strengthen our energy supply chain—not just here in the Sandhills, but across the country. We have been making great strides, and I will not stop fighting for grid security and energy independence in Washington. No community across the country should experience what our community endured.
“I want to thank Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields and our local law enforcement for their quick response during those dark days, and for their ongoing investigations to determine who is responsible for last December’s attack. We must hold those responsible for this act accountable and I will continue to support law enforcement as they conduct their investigation.”
On Friday, Dec. 1, the FBI and the Moore County Sheriff’s Office asked the public for assistance in finding a minivan seen on the night of the attack.
“The occupant(s) of the van may have information relevant to the investigation,” said the FBI in a press release. “Agents and detectives are conducting numerous lawful methods to locate the van. We also know the public can provide valuable information to augment law enforcement investigations.”
The van is likely a silver or light blue, 2011-2017, Honda Odyssey.
The FBI released this photo on Dec. 1, 2023, as a vehicle of interest.
A reward was set up shortly after the attack.
“I would like to remind the public that any information you have concerning the attacks, however small, might be significant to this investigation and should be provided to law enforcement,” Fields added in his statement on Monday. “The reward remains at $100,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case. Moore County, the FBI, the North Carolina Governor’s Office, and Duke Energy are each offering $25,000. If you have information, please call the Moore County Sheriff’s Office tip line at (910) 947-4444, the FBI at 1-800-CALL FBI, or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.”
To read Sandhills Sentinel’s coverage of the power grid attack, please click here.
Feature photo: Law enforcement at a substation on Dec. 3, 2022/Sandhills Sentinel reporter Patrick Priest.
