The Burke County Sheriff’s Office placed officers around all county schools after receiving a threat overnight to the Burke County Public Schools Public Information Office.
The threat read: “At 10:30 am a car will drive into as many students as possible as they try to leave. If you try and evacuate them the driver will get out and shoot any student leaving. You have a choice here, you can ignore this email and risk the lives of the students you say you care for, or you can listen to what we are telling you. The only way out is to go out with a BANG.”
The email was sent at 12:18 a.m. Tuesday and was read by the Public Information Officer at 8:15 a.m.Tuesday, authorities said. The threat does not indicate a specific school.
“Additional law enforcement personnel have been placed on and around school campuses throughout Burke County,” sheriff’s Capt. Randall Norman said in a press release. “The BCSO is working with BPS to ensure a safe learning environment for our students, staff, faculty and community. We are actively working the case and investigating the IP address to determine its origin. We ask that all personnel remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity or pertinent information to school personnel or law enforcement.”
The BCSO is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the threats.