Update: New Hanover County Schools has issued a statement regarding the recent ‘hoax’ threat to Laney High School. The full statement appears below:
New Hanover County Schools has received information of a threat posted on social media. We understand the fear and panic these threats cause among students, families, school staff, and the community. The school district has been cooperating with law enforcement to investigate this threat. This person has been identified by authorities. The alleged student does not attend New Hanover County Schools and is not located in the Wilmington area. The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office has investigated the threat, and it was found to be a non-credible threat. The sheriff’s office said they continue to receive calls and reports, and the Detective Division will continue their investigation to ensure that schools are safe.
New Hanover County Schools does not have any schools under lockdown at this time. All schools are operating under normal conditions. The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office has increased its law enforcement presence.
The school district encourages students to immediately report any threat to a school official, parent, or trusted adult. New Hanover County Schools takes all threats seriously and works in partnership with local law enforcement to ensure school safety. The district will continue to work diligently to keep students, families, and school staff informed through our media partners and social media platforms.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY — Authorities say a social media post threatening to ‘shoot up’ Laney High School that began circulating last night was not credible, noting it was actually an ‘edited’ version of an unrelated threat.
According to the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office (NHCSO), law enforcement received numerous phone calls about the issue.
“The original post began last night from student located in another part of the state. Shortly thereafter that same post was shared and altered to say Laney high school. Sheriff’s Detectives investigated the threat made in New Hanover County and it was found to have no creditability,” according to NHCSO.
According to NHCSO, “additional calls and reports continued to come in and the Detective Division will continue their investigation to ensure that schools are safe.”
