Three years after the power grid attack that caused a widespread power outage in Moore County, Sheriff Ronnie Fields has issued an official statement.
“I want to reassure our community that our investigation into the power grid attacks remains active and deliberate,” writes Fields. “I understand the urgency many people still feel, but please know that we remain committed to finding answers. Working alongside our state and federal partners, our detectives have followed every viable lead, interviewed numerous individuals, and devoted significant time and resources to uncovering the facts.”
Fields issued the press release on Monday, Dec. 1, a few days before the three-year anniversary of the attack. 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.
“While certain aspects of the investigation cannot yet be made public, our dedication to identifying and prosecuting those responsible has not wavered,” reads the sheriff’s statement. “When the time is appropriate, we will release a comprehensive case summary so the community can clearly see the breadth of the work completed.”
There have been few public updates since the attack, but the Moore County Sheriff’s Office previously asked the public for assistance in finding a minivan seen on the night of the attack. The death of a Pinehurst woman was later ruled a homicide after her oxygen concentrator failed as a result of the power outage.
Closing the press release, Fields adds, “A combined reward of $100,000 remains available for information that results in the arrest and conviction of the individuals involved in this crime.”
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File photo of a Moore County substation.
