Social media threat leads to another Wake County school lockdown.
Threats on social media led Friday to another Wake County school going on a Code Red lockdown.
In a message to families on Friday, East Garner Middle School said it learned at 11:30 a.m. that a student had posted a message on social media threatening violence against the school. The message indicated that three students had weapons.
The school called 911 and initiated a Code Red lockdown, where the entire building is locked down and no one can enter or exit until police give an all clear announcement.
“Garner police responded and identified and detained the students involved in making the threatening statements,” the school said. “Again, no weapons were found, and police determined there was never any credible threat.”
The school moved to a modified Code Yellow status at 1:15 p.m., where students were able to resume classroom activities. There were no outdoor activities, although some students moved to a different building under the supervision of law enforcement and school staff.
‘Significant disruption’
“Making threats of this nature is a very serious offense,” the school told parents. “You can see the significant disruption caused by threatening language posted on social media. Those responsible will be disciplined in accordance with WCPSS policy.”
Multiple Wake County schools have been placed on lockdowns in recent weeks due to threats on social media and reports of weapons on campus.
The surge in threats has caused school leaders to ask for the public’s help in stopping the threats.
The Wake County Sheriff’s Office filed a juvenile petition against a teen believed to be responsible for threats that sent Zebulon Middle School students home early after being locked down earlier this month.
This story was originally published February 17, 2023 at 12:42 PM.
