Hundreds of leads, no arrests a year after attack on Moore County substation
It has been almost a year since someone fired shots into two substations in Moore County, knocking out power to tens of thousands for five days during December.
While no one has been charged with the attack, Sheriff Ronnie Fields wants the public to know that the investigation continues. In a statement issued Monday, he said, "We have pursued hundreds of leads since the start of the investigation and continue to receive them. We have scoured local businesses and residential areas and have conducted hundreds of interviews in search of any information associated with the attacks. Although it is not prudent to share all the details of this case, we are working diligently to hold those responsible accountable for their actions and see justice served for our communities."
As the anniversary of the attacks loomed, the FBI released a single clue – the description of a vehicle seen in the area of the substation attacks.
Investigators believe "the occupant(s) of the van may have information relevant to the investigation."
Rewards for information that leads to an arrest total $100,000 – money put up by Moore County, the FBI, the North Carolina Governor’s Office and Duke Energy.
Part of the investigation has focused on possible links between hate groups and the attack on the substations.
Only a few weeks after the Moore County power grid attack, there were two separate incidents of white supremacy hate banners hanging over Moore County highways.
"You killed somebody. I don’t know why they did what they did to turn off the power, for what?" said Bruno Zoanelli, whose wife died during the outage.
Fields says investigators have sent the banners to the SBI to extract DNA.
Fields says he doesn't know whether the banners – or the angry protests surrounding a drag show on the night of the substation attacks – are related in any way. However, he also says they won't leave any stone unturned.
