Following a review with the Randolph County District Attorney’s Office and North Carolina Juvenile Justice, a petiton has been submitted for the charge of felony making a false report concerning mass violence on educational property.
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On June 4, 2022, at 7:30 pm, the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office received a report of threatening statements made by an unknown subject towards Randleman High School through social media. The ICAC Unit was brought in to investigate and were able to identify the residence from which the messages were sent. Patrol and detectives responded to the address and were able to identify the juvenile who sent the messages. The parents of the juvenile were made aware of the threats and the potential consequences; they were cooperative with the investigation. The juvenile admitted to making the statements but was adamant the statements were a hoax. A search of the residence did not reveal any evidence related to the threat.
Dr. Stephen Gainey, Superintendent of the Randolph County School System, was notified of the report and investigation. The Sheriff’s Office is working in conjunction with the Randolph County School System and Administration on this matter. Detectives will consult with the District Attorney’s Office in regards to charges in this matter. This is an ongoing investigation.
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.