Hoax threats at several schools in Wake and Moore counties deemed not credible

Forty North Carolina schools, including those in Wake and Moore counties, received non-credible hoax threats on Tuesday. These incidents were part of a larger pattern of school threats reported statewide.

The first online threat prompted a brief code yellow lockdown at Cary Elementary School. Around 12 p.m., the school at 400 Kildaire Farm Road sent this message to families:

"Parents, students are safe. Our school is currently in Code Yellow lockdown due to police activity in the area. Schools enter a Code Yellow lockdown if there is something in the community that may pose a threat to the school. Please do not come to campus. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us to keep our students and staff safe."

A spokesperson from the Cary Police Department said the online threat was not found to be credible, and police cleared the school to go back into code green at 1:19 p.m.

Cary Elementary released the following statement:

"We are proud of the manner in which our staff and students responded to the lockdown. We are also grateful to law enforcement and our security team for their swift response. We understand that lockdowns are stressful for students, staff and families, and we appreciate your patience and cooperation."

Mills Park Middle School in Cary also received a social media threat on Tuesday which was determined to not be credible.

Also on Tuesday, two Moore County elementary schools, Cameron Elementary and Aberdeen Elementary, were the targets of a threat submitted through a tip line, according to the Moore County Sheriff's Office.

Law enforcement did not identify any credible threat at either school. All schools will conduct dismissal at their normal time.

The Moore County Sheriff's Office posted on Facebook:

"After a thorough investigation, it has been determined that the specific threat was not credible. Evidence shows that this threat is part of a pattern of similar threats occurring recently across the state. Our deputies, in close collaboration with Moore County Schools Police, are actively working to identify the source of the threat."

On Monday, a Rocky Mount student was charged after social media threats against several schools. Last week, a juvenile was taken into custody after 911 received a "swatting" call threatening to shoot up Hope Mills Middle School.

The hoax threats came days after a 14-year-old allegedly killed four people at a Georgia high school.

A spokesperson from the Wake County Public School System on Tuesday released the following statement:

"Tragic incidents like the school shooting in Georgia often trigger what is known as the 'copycat effect.' This phenomenon occurs when individuals, particularly young people, are exposed to media coverage of such events and may be compelled to replicate hoax threats in pursuit of attention. Unfortunately, we are beginning to see this pattern emerge in our own community."