HAYWOOD COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — Dozens of students left Pisgah High School on Monday, Sept. 9, after what they say were threats of a potential school shooting.
Students from the walkout said the situation began on Friday when students brought attention to social media posts of threats to the school on Friday and Monday.
The students told News 13 that after multiple alleged altercations, at least two students said they were going to come to the school armed.
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McKenzie Sutton, a student, said that after alerting their principal, immediate action was not taken.
“A school system should be safe and a safe place to learn. It should be another home but like a place to learn, and it shouldn’t be somewhere you don’t want to go,” Sutton said.
Haywood County Superintendent Trevor Putnam said that while he understands students are scared, he said no credible threat was made to the school, and they are not and have not been on lockdown.
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Superintendent Putnam’s full statement:
“Haywood County Schools takes all threats very seriously. The recent resurgence of fear surrounding the Apalachee school shooting has brought this to the forefront on social media via copycat posts. We have worked with local law enforcement to evaluate this material and make sure no credible threat exists for students and staff. We will continue to evaluate information as it becomes available to us. At this time, no credible threat exists for students and staff. Out of an abundance of caution, we have added additional officers to provide assurance that we are taking all necessary steps for safety.”
