Update at 12:45 P.M. — Omar Sanchez is enrolled but is not currently attending Pender County Schools, while Nathan Branch is not enrolled with Pender County Schools, according to the Pender County Sheriff’s Office.
PENDER COUNTY — Two 18-year-old men were arrested after the Pender County Sheriff’s Office executed search warrants following a social media posting referencing a potential shooting at Burgaw Middle School.
“On November 25 at 7:46 pm the Pender County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a social media post referencing a potential shooting at Burgaw Middle School on Tuesday, November 26, 2019. Upon notification of the posting, an investigation was launched. As a result of that investigation, at 4:48 am, two search warrants were executed at two mobile homes located on Tasha Lane in Burgaw. During the search warrant service, two BB pistols that resembled real firearms were located,” according to the Pender County Sheriff’s Office press release.
Two 18-year-olds were subsequently arrested early Tuesday morning.
“Omar Sanchez and Nathan Brice Branch, both 18, were arrested and charged with possession of a weapon on educational property, filing a false report of mass violence on and educational property and second-degree trespass. Information on their bonds will be forthcoming,” the release concludes.
