Students evacuated after bomb threat at New Century

April 25, 2023

New Century Middle School students and staff were evacuated Tuesday afternoon after a bomb threat.

“This afternoon, a bomb threat was reported at New Century Middle School,” said the school district in a press release. “The school immediately evacuated all students and staff following the procedure for this situation. Currently, authorities are conducting a full search of the campus. All students and staff remained in their designated safe areas.

“A message was sent to all New Century Middle School parents about the procedures for dismissal. Today, students will be released on a normal schedule beginning at 3 p.m. Car riders can be picked up at the tennis courts. Be advised, the traffic pattern will be different and it will take longer than normal to conduct pickup. Transportation for bus riders will be provided.”

This comes on the heels of a Sandhills Community College (SCC) student being arrested on April 17 after allegedly threatening a faculty member.

Students, faculty and staff evacuated the Pinehurst and Raeford campuses and the public safety training center just over a week ago.

“Out of an abundance of caution, Sandhills Community College is suspending all in-person activities including classes immediately,” said SCC on its Facebook page regarding the alleged verbal threat. “Due to a threat, please evacuate all Sandhills locations until further notice.”

About an hour later, the suspect was located and arrested.

“On April 17, 2023, the Moore County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a threat of mass violence made by a student to a faculty member at Larry R. Caddell Public Safety Training Center in Carthage,” said Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields in a press release about the investigation.

Caleb Moore, 22, of Taylortown, was arrested and jailed at the Moore County Detention Center without bond. He is facing charges of one count of felony communicating a threat of mass violence on educational property and one count of felony possession of a firearm on educational property.

~Article and photo by Sandhills Sentinel staff.