Authorities Investigate Bomb Threats at Wheatmore Schools

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office is investigating multiple bomb threats made Thursday at Wheatmore Middle and High Schools, which prompted temporary evacuations and increased law enforcement presence on campus.

The first threat was reported around 7 a.m. through the Randolph County School district’s anonymous tip line, alleging a bomb was inside Wheatmore Middle School. In a phone message to parents, Principal Matt Smith said the school was evacuated at 7:18 a.m. Deputies with the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office searched the campus and found no threat. Students and staff were allowed to return to the building by 8:08 a.m.

A second tip was received around 3:30 p.m., reporting that a student may have been in possession of a “bomb-like object” while entering a van on campus after school. The school was again cleared and checked by deputies. No threat was found.

In a press release, the Sheriff’s Office confirmed it had received multiple threats throughout the day targeting both Wheatmore Middle and High Schools. All threats were submitted via an anonymous reporting application and were investigated by the Sheriff’s Office or other local law enforcement partners as they were received.

Additional law enforcement officers remained on campus for the remainder of the day as a precaution.
“Hoax threats are crimes,” Sheriff Greg Seabolt said. “In North Carolina, making or communicating bomb threats is a serious offense with significant penalties under state law.”

Seabolt said a juvenile suspect has been identified and the investigation remains ongoing.

“We are committed to working with school officials to prioritize the safety of our schools,” he said in the release.