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More security added after teen found with knives, 'hit list' at Union Co. school

By Joe Bruno, wsoctv.com and Liz Foster
By Joe Bruno, wsoctv.com and Liz Foster

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — Extra deputies were on campus Wednesday, a day after authorities at Forest Hills High School found several knives, a bottle of flammable liquid, fireworks, a dismantled shotgun shell and a “hit list” in a book bag at the Union County school.

Officials were using precaution to make students and staff feel safer.

"We're the first line of defense,” said Deputy A.J. Wallace.

Authorities were made aware of a threat that indicated a student intended to stab several classmates at the school, while the “hit list” contained names of nine to 12 people.

The suspect is under 16 years old, so his identity is not being released.

“He certainly had the tools necessary to carry out what he was intending to do,” said Tony Underwood, with the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation’s Information Sharing and Analysis Center Unit received information from Thunder Bay Police Service in Canada about chat room discussions involving threats of violence by a Forest Hills High School student.

Within 65 minutes of the Sheriff’s Office receiving the tip, Wallace found the knives with potentially minutes before the planned attack. He took the student out of class, questioned him and then arrested him.

Investigators told Channel 9 the teen wasn't looking for attention and thought he was having a private conversation when he told someone in the chat room that he was going to stab classmates.

Wallace said the student was not a troublemaker.

"When we spoke to him, he was very calm,” Wallace said.

Sheriff Eddie Cathey applauded the quick work of deputies and Union County Public Schools officials to avert a possible mass casualty event.

“Who knows who was on that list that the person made? It could have been me, it could have been my closest friend,” said junior Malik Huntley.

Students were greeted by a deputy Wednesday morning as they arrived at school.

The mother of a freshman at the school said she's been told all the students on the hit list were in her son's grade.

"That's the scary thing, too. Nobody at this point knows why, why he picked out the students that he chose," she said.

Deputies said that the attack was scheduled for mid-morning, and told Channel 9 that they believe the incident is isolated and not related to terrorism, but don't know the motive yet.

Investigators said they're still trying to figure out what the teen will be charged with. While deputies wouldn't say where he currently is, they said he is getting help.

“The deputies and specifically the School Resource Officer, along with Union County Public Schools did an outstanding job of quickly identifying the student involved with the chat room discussions and finding the weapons before a tragedy happened,” Cathey said. “I also need to thank the SBI and ISAAC for bringing this matter to our attention as quickly as they did.”

Parents found out through the school district's emergency alert system.

"My heart dropped to my feet,” Stephanie Deason said. "It’s troubling to know that your kids can come to school and not be safe."

Deputies said the boy had a detailed journal, but wouldn't talk about what was in it because of the ongoing investigation.

When the investigation closes, detectives will talk to the district attorney's office about what charges the teen will face.

The teen is not in law enforcement custody and has not been arrested, but the sheriff said he is getting counseling help.

Union County Schools released a statement:

"Keeping students safe is always a priority for Union County Public Schools. We are thankful for our partnership with the Union County Sheriff's Office and want to commend deputies for their immediate response to this matter. We take every threat seriously and staff will continue to work to keep all schools safe. All families at Forest Hills High School have been notified."

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