11-year-old student reports attempted abduction from Shelby school

SHELBY, N.C. — An 11-year-old boy told police that someone tried to kidnap him from Shelby Intermediate School this week.

The lead investigator on the case told Channel 9's Blake Hanson that it happened around 11:30 a.m. on Monday at the school on Kings Road Extension.

The child told police he was getting water when he saw a man was knocking at the side door of the school. The boy told officers he went to open the door and the man grabbed him by the arm.

The boy said he got away and ran from the school. Investigators said a passerby brought the boy back to the principal.

Authorities started interviewing possible witnesses Wednesday morning.

They said this is a reminder that children should stay away from strangers.

"Talk to your kids about talking with strangers, and when they are at school, don't go to doors and open up doors," said Shelby police Lt. Chris Howington.

The school has notified parents and police said they're reviewing security footage to figure out what happened.

"In regards to the incident on the Shelby Intermediate Campus yesterday, all students and staff are safe. As you know, any such events are handled swiftly as the safety of our students come before anything else. The matter is currently under investigation, and we are cooperating with local law enforcement," CCS director of communications Greg Shull said.

Channel 9's newspaper partner, The Shelby Star, reported that all resource officers in the school system have been notified about the alleged incident, and Shelby police have increased patrols in school areas.

The alleged kidnapper is a white man, around 30 years old, with blue or green eyes, a small mustache and brown hair on his chin. He was wearing a black sweatshirt with the hood pulled up and blue jeans, according to the description given by the child to investigators.

Anyone with information in this case should call Shelby Police at 704-484-6845.

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