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'I'll protect you:' Audio captures NC middle school teacher's brave words to students during lockdown

"If I tell you to get out that window, I'll break the glass. I'll open the window and you'll get out. And you're gonna run -- you're gonna run to the store over there. Do you understand me? I'll do everything in my power to protect you, but you must listen to me or Miss Sanders. Do not think you know better. Do you understand me?"

Posted Updated

By
Bryan Mims
, WRAL reporter

Multiple schools around NC went on lockdown Wednesday, just one day after the elementary school shooting in Texas, due to threats.

In the midst of the fear, a middle school student recorded audio of their teacher, determined to protect his students at Brogden Middle School in Wayne County.

In a school of about 600 students, a frightening social media post began circulating among Brogden parents, which warned:

"The school really thought they could get rid of me. I'm definitely gonna shoot up the school tomorrow and Thursday."

It also includes the words "white lives matter more."

A phone message from the principal went out to parents, saying extra law enforcement was on campus and the school had gone on temporary lockdown.

One teacher, Tom Bonthuis, implored his class to follow his directions if violence broke out.

A student recorded it and was soon posted on Facebook:

"If I tell you to get out that window, I'll break the glass. I'll open the window and you'll get out. And you're gonna run -- you're gonna run to the store over there. Do you understand me? I'll do everything in my power to protect you, but you must listen to me or Miss Sanders. Do not think you know better. Do you understand me?"

Principal Thomas Young sent an automated message to parents, urging them to talk with their children about the comments they make on social media.

"It does not matter if a child is bored, mad or trying to be funny, any student who is caught making threats or creating rumors about threats could face disciplinary action. They could also face criminal charges."

The Wayne County Sheriff's Office is working to identify who made the threat.

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