DARE COUNTY, N.C. — A bomb threat posted online forced First Flight Elementary, Middle and High schools to close on Wednesday. This is the second threat at the high school this week.
OBX Today’s News Director, Sam Walker, said Wednesday’s threat was found in the comments section of a story about Monday’s threat on OBXToday.com.
"It said Dillion was the name on the post. We have gone through and researched. There is no email that is valid. It looks like the IP address, we have ways of tracking it, looks like they used a dark web, a hidden IP address," Walker said.
Officials told 13News Now, someone posted a threatening message on Snapchat on Monday. The elementary, middle and high school went on a brief lockdown and deputies said a juvenile is now facing charges.
"It's a safe place to live but it just goes to show you can't put your guard down. That's the lesson that I have to teach my kids. No matter where you go, there's always a variable of uncertainty I suppose," Parent Brent Nultemeyer said.
For several hours on Wednesday, Dare County Deputies searched with dogs at all three schools. There was no threat at the middle or elementary school, but they were checked as a precaution.
Officials said they didn't find anything and said the schools are cleared and safe.
Superintendent John Farrelly released a statement after the bomb threat and the school closure. He started his statement claiming school will be back open on Thursday, December 19.
"This has been a trying time for all of us, beginning with the threat on Monday. Before I provide an update on today's situation, let me share a summary of what occurred this past Monday. While the Dare County Sheriff's Office directed all three First Flight Schools to go into lockdown at approximately 11:45 am as a precautionary measure, the investigation found that there was never a direct threat to the school," Farrelly said in a message to the school. "The results of Monday's investigation have resulted in legal action being pursued on a student who threatened another student. While there was never a direct threat to the school, that was not apparent given the initial evidence. I applaud the Dare County Sheriff's office for being proactive and for our shared commitment to keeping our schools safe at all times."
It is a felony in the state of North Carolina to make a threat of mass destruction on a school. Farrelly said these threats are never taken lightly.
"I regret that situations like these occur. However, I am incredibly thankful for the support of our local law enforcement agencies and a dedicated group of school administrators that react vigilantly to ensure that our schools remain the safest campuses in North Carolina, and arguably the nation," Farrelly said.