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Students picked up from Morganton middle school after district says threat made on social media

By WSOCTV.com News Staff
By WSOCTV.com News Staff

MORGANTON, N.C. — Many students were picked up early from Table Rock Middle School in Morganton on Monday, after the district said it was investigating a threat made on social media.

The principal told families that they gave loved ones permission to take their children out of school, saying the health and welfare of the students and staff was their top priority.

He said the district was aware of some information mentioning Table Rock Middle that was making its way around on social media. Several parents told Channel 9′s Dave Faherty that there was a threat made against the school, and the sheriff’s office and the district said they are working together to determine where it came from.

Burke County schools confirmed that the threat originated on social media and that screenshots of the threat were being shared among students and family members. Around 30 minutes after learning of the threat, the principal sent out a message.

“I think the cryptic message made everybody, every parent, you know, heart skip a beat. And alright, I’m gonna get my child now before something does happen,” mother Michelle Mayfield said.

Extra deputies could be seen on the school’s campus Monday morning.

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Since some students were still arriving at school when the principal sent the message, cars were everywhere, leading some parents to walk on to campus to get their children.

“I think safety is number one and I think possibly more organization when an event like this occurs to ensure the kids are able to get out of the school safely,” father Johnny Cooper said.

Channel 9 asked the district how many students left. They said there are more than 500 who attend the school and more than 300 are now home, and that number continued to increase as more parents showed up at the school.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

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