4 Charlotte Area High Schools In Modified Lockdown Due To Threats

CHARLOTTE, NC — Four Charlotte metro high schools were on modified lockdown Thursday out of precaution following online threats and a string of recent deadly shootings.

The modified lockdowns were in place at the following high schools:

• Julius L Chambers High (formerly Vance High), IBM Drive, Charlotte
• North Mecklenburg High, Old Statesville Road, Huntersville
• West Mecklenburg High, Tuckaseegee Road, Charlotte
• Hopewell High, Beatties Ford Road, Huntersville

“The district takes the safety and security of our schools, students and staff seriously," Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools said in a statement. "We are aware of threats involving Julius L. Chambers, North Mecklenburg, West Mecklenburg and Hopewell high schools. Law enforcement is actively investigating and will have an increased presence on these campuses through the end of this week. The schools are continuing with learning as scheduled, and as a precaution are on a modified lockdown.”

CMS Superintendent Earnest Winston said Thursday that the lockdowns were out of precaution, and that school officials did not think they were credible.

Under a modified lockdown, classes operate normally inside the building, however perimeter doors remain locked, WSOC said.

The lockdowns follow a string of deadly shootings in the area, including a Tuesday night shooting where suspects fired more than 100 rounds into a north Charlotte home, killing a 3-year-old boy.

SEE ALSO: Threats Made Against 2 Huntersville High Schools: HPD

The shooting was one of at least five shooting incidents in the area since Sunday, when a 16-year-old was fatally shot and two other teenagers were injured, WSOC said.

The threats prompted Huntersville police to step up their presence at two Huntersville area schools.

"We are aware of the threats that were made to two of our high schools in town, Hopewell and North Mecklenburg," Huntersville Police Department said in a statement. "We have had extra officers at the schools all week and will continue to have them there until there is no longer a threat."