A written bomb threat discovered on a bathroom wall at Union Pines High School prompted a large evacuation Wednesday afternoon as authorities searched the campus.
According to the Moore County Sheriff’s Office, a student reported seeing the threat written inside a school bathroom.
The sheriff’s office said all students and staff were evacuated “in accordance with established procedures” while authorities conducted a full search of the campus.
“All students and staff will remain in their designated, safe areas until further notice,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement released during the incident.
A Moore County News reporter at the scene observed students that were evacuated to the school’s football field while law enforcement and emergency personnel remained on campus.
Moore County Schools later told parents that students would not be allowed to reenter the building Wednesday afternoon. Officials said personal items would remain secured inside classrooms until Thursday morning.
School officials said dismissal would begin on a normal schedule starting at 3:45 p.m., though pickup procedures were changed because of the evacuation. Parents picking up students were directed to the area near the football stadium on Viking Drive and asked to follow directions from school staff and law enforcement officers. Students whose parents arrived early to pick them up were allowed to leave campus before the normal dismissal time.
Students who ride the bus were expected to be transported once buses had been cleared by authorities.
The release process caused heavy traffic delays on roads surrounding the school Wednesday afternoon.
School officials said additional information about Thursday’s schedule would be released later Wednesday evening.
No injuries had been reported as of Wednesday afternoon. Authorities have not released additional information about the threat or whether any suspects have been identified.
