ASHEBORO N.C. – An online threat posted to social media this weekend against Randleman High School turned out to be a hoax, says the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office.
According to a press release, on June 4th, 2022, at 7:30 pm, the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office says it received a report of threatening statements made towards Randleman High School on social media. The Department brought in investigators from the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit who were able to identify the address where the messages were sent.
Patrol units and detectives responded to the address and were able to identify the individual, a juvenile, who sent the messages. The juvenile, who will remain unnamed, admitted to making the statements and investigators say the juvenile was adamant the statements were a hoax.
The Sheriff’s Office says a search of the residence did not reveal any evidence related to the threat and that the parents were were cooperative with the investigation. Detectives are set to speak with the District Attorney’s Office in regards to charges. At this time the investigation is ongoing and no charges have yet been filed.
Dr. Stephen Gainey, Superintendent of the Randolph County School System, was notified and the Sheriff’s Office says it’s working in with the Randolph County School System Administration.
Beginning on May 25, 2022, the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office assigned additional deputies to schools throughout the county, through the end of the school year, for added security. All on-duty deputies are conducting additional security checks at the schools. Any report of threats made toward any school will be immediately investigated and referred for prosecution, if feasible. The safety of our children is of paramount importance.
Randolph County Sheriff’s Office – Press Release
UPDATE 6/6/22 2:15pm – Today the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office has announced that after having reached out to the Randolph County District Attorney’s Office and North Carolina Juvenile Justice, a petition has been submitted for the charge of felony making a false report concerning mass violence on educational property.