Union Co. teen faces criminal charges after making death threats

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By Kathryn Burcham

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — A Union County teen is facing criminal charges after police said he bullied a classmate with death threats.

Police charged 17-year-old Joseph Gagatch on Friday with three counts of communicating threats.

Police said Gagatch, a student at the Central Academy of Technology and Arts in Monroe, began making threats against a male classmate weeks ago.

"There were several instances where he threatened the victim face to face, threatened to kill the victim," said Sgt. Mike Smith with Monroe Police.

Eyewitness News obtained police records that also showed Gagatch threatened to harm the victim via text, including, "Yo if you ever try to sit at my desk again I'll (expletive) your (expletive) up...I'll knock your (expletive) teeth out."

Police said another text from Gagatch to the victim read, "I'm waiting for you to slip. I want you to slip. Give me another reason to and I'm gonna make you hurt real bad man. Be careful."

Authorities said Gagatch confessed to the threats in an interview and explained that he simply "didn't like" the victim.


Officials with Union County Public Schools would not comment on Gagatch's case, or confirm if he has since been suspended.

Administrators did say each school in UCPS has anti-bullying protocols and that they have trained staff and school resources officers to spot the warning signs.

Gagatch will face a judge in June.