Sheriff: Threats made against Leland Middle School in 2017 lead to new rumors

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — In September, the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office seized weapons from students who made threats against specific students at Leland Middle School.

During a news conference at North Brunswick High School, Sheriff Ingram revealed that the original threat from September was posted on Instagram and included dates, names, and weapons.

Sheriff John Ingram said those three students were convicted, suspended, and banned from being on the campus of any school in Brunswick County

Last week, a man came to pick up a student who was not on the authorized pickup list. A School Resource Officer ran this man’s information, but the man tried to leave. The school went on lock down as a precaution. The man did have outstanding warrants on nonviolent charges.

Ingram says a student familiar with the threats in September expressed concerns that the two events were related, which then led to rumors.

Ingram said on Tuesday, they were alerted to rumors after parents became aware and expressed concerns to the school.

Some parents were afraid to send their children to school because of the threats.

“We do not have an increase in security threats here in Brunswick County. I can’t speak for across the nations. I’m concerned with Brunswick County. And that’s not what we’re experiencing here.”

An increased law enforcement presence at North Brunswick High School was due to a separate threat related to a domestic incident that happened outside of the county, Ingram said.

Ingram said false information then circulated among the students and that reignited even more rumors.

“What’s becoming an issue is rumors circulating. Not factual information. And before people decide to circulate these rumors, we need to determine whether they’re fact or fiction,” Ingram said.

Law enforcement officers interviewed 20 students at North Brunswick and Leland Middle School and received 20 different stories.

Ingram says there is zero credibility to any rumor or threat.

“I want to stress that every rumor and every threat is investigated as if it is the gospel truth,” Ingram said. “The Florida tragedy is a sober reminder why we take any rumors or threats extremely serious.”

Ingram says each school has a SRO on campus and protocols in place to every precaution is taken to keep schools safe.

He also mentioned how both parents and students can help, by reporting anything suspicious or disturbing to law enforcement immediately, day or night.

“Our website is set up to report it anonymously day or night,” Ingram said. “I would encourage parents to please encourage their children to do the same. And another thing, please, parents, pay attention to your children’s social media accounts. Things are happening on social media and we need to make sure if any of these threats are circulating among students that we can get on top of it quickly.”

Ingram said there’s sometimes a delay releasing information because his office doesn’t release rumors and wants to make sure the inormation they’re providing is credible and valid.

They are currently investigating a message left on a wall at North Brunswick High School.

Someone wrote, “Have a nice day on the 21st of this month because there will be no more school after that.”

Ingram says they have not determined who was responsible for writing that note but it is still under investigation.

As far as the students convicted of making threats, they are minors. The Sheriff’s Office can not release their names.