GASTONIA, N.C. — An 18-year-old student at North Gaston High School was charged Tuesday with communicating threats of mass violence.
The investigation into Jacob Brandon Rhyne began Monday after a school resource officer learned about a possible threat.
Investigators said they performed a threat assessment and were led to Rhyne's car on campus. Inside, they said they found a knife and brass knuckles.
“Even colleges, high schools, elementary schools, every parent that has children in the school would be concerned,” said Mike Putnal, who lives near North Gaston High.
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Rhyne was arrested for possession of weapons on state property.
He is in the Gaston County Jail under a $1 million bond for the communicating threats of mass violence charge and a $5,000 bond for the possession charge.
In an email to parents, the principal stressed administrators take school safety very seriously.
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