WCPS responds to social media threat against CBA

Extra law enforcement will be in place at Charles B. Aycock High School Thursday in response to a school shooting threat on social media.

The message, which the school district said was originally posted on Snapchat, began circulating as a screenshot on Instagram and Facebook Wednesday afternoon, said Ken Derksen, Wayne County Public Schools public information officer.

“As soon as we saw it, we notified law enforcement,” Derksen said, adding that a message was also sent to parents Wednesday afternoon from Aycock principal John Bell notifying them of the threat and the district’s plans to address the concern.

“As part of our protocol, we will have some extra law enforcement presence on our campus tomorrow,” Bell said in the message.

The call was repeated later in the evening for those who might have missed it, Derksen said, adding that law enforcement officials are investigating the origin of the threat.

In addition to his notification about the extra security measures, Bell also asked parents to discuss the incident with their children.

“Please talk with your child about the importance of making good choices about the words and comments they make to others and on social media,” he said. “Please help your child understand that students who are caught making threats or creating rumors about threats could face disciplinary action in accordance with the local board of education policy. They could also face criminal charges.”