ASHEBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — Police are investigating after a threat was apparently made at a Piedmont Triad high school.
Asheboro police say they responded to a reported bomb threat at Asheboro High School, on the 1200 block of South Park Street, at about 9:27 a.m.
A message was sent out to parents around 9:45 a.m. reading, “This message is to notify you that Asheboro High School is evacuating the building due to a threat made against the school. More information will be provided.”
The school system also posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, “Asheboro Police Department is currently responding to a threat at Asheboro High School. Students and staff are following safety protocols. More information will be forthcoming.”
In a news release at about 10:30 a.m., Asheboro City Schools said:
Asheboro High School received a threat this morning. The Asheboro Police Department is responding. Students and staff are following safety protocols. Asheboro Police Department is leading the response.
The safety of our students and staff is our top priority, and we take all threats seriously. The school administration, in collaboration with local law enforcement, responded and determined it was best to evacuate the high school.
No students are being released at this time and parents should not attempt to come pick up students. All Asheboro City school campuses are currently following safety protocols and sheltering in place.
At 11:16 a.m., Asheboro police said that bomb detection K-9s from the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office were searching the school.
Asheboro City Schools plans to post updates on the district’s X account.
The following agencies assisted Asheboro police at the scene:
- Randolph County Sheriff’s Office
- Guilford County Sheriff’s Office
- North Carolina Probation and Parole
- Asheboro Fire Department
- Randolph County Emergency Services
At 1:23 p.m., Asheboro police announced that “no devices and/or suspects were located inside the school” and that “at no time was there an active shooter situation.”
Investigators have provided the following timeline of events:
- Asheboro PD received a call from a person at 9:21 a.m. who claimed to have placed bombs inside Asheboro High School. The person also claimed to be armed with a weapon and said they would enter the school
- The SRO at the school was immediately alerted and officers came to the school
- The school was evacuated and students were moved to secure locations away from school property
- Vehicles in the parking lot were cleared
- The building was searched by bomb detection K-9s with the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office
- The building and perimeter around the school were searched by teams of officers and K-9s
- The building was released back to the school system
The investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information should contact Randolph County Crimestoppers at (336) 626- 7463 or Detective Kivett at (336) 626-1300 ext. 2109.
“I’m actually glad that nothing actually serious happened,” said Madison Dillon, an Asheboro High School student.
Walter Farrish is a grandparent. He drove from Siler City to pick up his granddaughter and daughter.
He was nervous to go through a similar situation with his other family members who went through the active shooter situation in UNC-Chapel Hill this week.
“I’ve been on the phone, texting the other kids, making sure they’re OK,” Farrish said.
At 4:37 p.m., Asheboro City Schools released the following statement:
On September 1, 2023 just before 9:30 am Asheboro City Schools staff were notified by the Asheboro Police Department of a threat to Asheboro High School which required evacuation of the building. Asheboro Police Department led the response and secured the campus perimeter. Students were relocated to the football stadium and then to a predetermined safe location as specified in the school safety plan. As a precaution, we were advised by Randolph Emergency Communications to have all other Asheboro City schools shelter in place while the investigation was ongoing. At approximately 1:45 pm the shelter in place was lifted for each school and Asheboro High School students were able to return to campus and finish the school day. Buses were able to operate on a regular schedule and after school activities were held as planned.
“The Asheboro Police Department and emergency personnel acted swiftly. Students and staff followed all procedures and contributed to an extremely successful safety response,” says Gayle Higgs, Director of Support Services.
Dr. Aaron Woody, Superintendent of Asheboro City Schools states, “We have a strong school community. Everyone came together to ensure that the relocation of our students was orderly and that they were safe during this time. We are so appreciative of the contributions of our local business partners and emergency response agencies.”
The rapid response from the Asheboro Police Department and other law enforcement agencies ensured the safety of our students. Student safety is our first priority. Safety protocols specified in our school safety plans were followed. We would like to thank the community and our families for their support and cooperation as well.
The students and staff throughout Asheboro City Schools were extremely positive throughout the day today. They are to be commended for their professionalism and deliberate actions that contributed to a calm and orderly outcome. Be assured that we will continue to be vigilant and prepared to provide the very best educational environment for all students in Asheboro City Schools.
