Police have placed a small town under lockdown following a man’s claim of possessing a gun and purportedly threatening a daycare center. The mayor of Highlands, North Carolina, mentioned that a 911 call was received from an individual who stated being armed and having the Highlands Episcopal Church “within their line of sight.”
Authorities reported a second call identifying a person matching the description of the alleged threat-maker. Downtown businesses have been instructed to close, and residents advised to steer clear of the area. A notification was issued by the town of Highlands to residents, warning of a shooting threat in proximity to the Highlands Episcopal Church and urging people to avoid downtown until further notice.
Details on the ongoing incident remain limited. Highlands, known for its picturesque setting as an upmarket mountain resort town on the Highlands Plateau in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of Western North Carolina, has surprised many with the occurrence of a shooting threat.
The region is renowned for outdoor pursuits, including various hiking trails and waterfalls such as Dry Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Glen Falls. Fishing in the Cullasaja River and nearby lakes, as well as activities like gem mining, zip-lining, and the Highlands Plateau Greenway trails, attract visitors to the area.
Residents have turned to social media seeking updates on the situation in Highlands, as the threat remains active according to law enforcement. Concerned individuals expressed astonishment that such an event could transpire in Highlands, with one remarking, “Never, in my wildest dreams, would this ever happen in Highlands.”
Mayor Pat Taylor of Highlands disclosed that the Episcopal Daycare Center, Highlands Daycare Center, and the Methodist Daycare were evacuated. The K-12 Highlands School is on lockdown, and a secure pickup procedure will be in place at day’s end with police presence.
The suspect remains unidentified, with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) and the county sheriff’s office aiding in the investigation. Mayor Taylor affirmed that the threat is deemed genuine and not a hoax.
The individual reportedly made two emergency calls and also alleged the presence of a bomb in the daycare center located at the church. A bomb disposal unit from Asheville has been dispatched to the town. All downtown daycare facilities and the Highlands School are closed while authorities probe the incident.
Furthermore, a bomb threat prompted the assistance of the Asheville bomb squad. Businesses are advised to shut down, and the community is urged to avoid the town center.