Police in a small town have placed the area on lockdown following a man’s claim of possessing a gun and allegedly threatening a daycare center. The mayor of Highlands, North Carolina, mentioned that a 911 call reported an armed individual with the Highlands Episcopal Church in sight. A second call confirmed a person matching the description of the threat, prompting downtown stores to close and advising people to steer clear of the vicinity.
Residents were alerted of the situation with a notification stating a “Shooting threat near Highlands Episcopal Church. Please avoid downtown until further notice.” The incident remains active, with no further details disclosed.
Highlands, an upscale mountain resort town on the Highlands Plateau in Western North Carolina, is renowned for its picturesque landscapes, making the shooting threat unexpected. The area is popular for outdoor pursuits like hiking, exploring waterfalls such as Dry Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, fishing in the Cullasaja River, and engaging in activities like gem mining, zip-lining, and utilizing the Highlands Plateau Greenway trails.
Concerned residents have turned to social media seeking updates on the ongoing threat in Highlands. The mayor informed that Episcopal Daycare Center, Highlands Daycare Center, and the Methodist Daycare were evacuated, with the K-12 Highlands School implementing a lockdown and a secure pickup procedure under police supervision.
Authorities are collaborating with NCSBI and the county sheriff’s office to identify the suspect behind the threat. Mayor Pat Taylor expressed belief in the threat’s authenticity and mentioned the individual made two emergency calls, including a bomb threat targeting the daycare center at the church, prompting the dispatch of a bomb disposal team from Asheville.
All daycare facilities in downtown and the Highlands School have been shut down as the police investigate the incident. The Asheville bomb squad has been summoned due to the bomb threat. Businesses have been advised to close, and the community urged to stay away from the town center.