For the second time in two weeks, a social media post alluding to violence on campus led Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools to ramp up security for the day. After investigation, though, the threat was deemed to not be credible.

An alert to families in the district Wednesday morning said CHCCS leaders were made aware of a social media post circulated overnight Tuesday that referenced “an act of school violence” at Carrboro, Chapel Hill and East Chapel Hill high schools. By Wednesday afternoon, police said they had identified, communicated with, and sought an arrest petition for a juvenile suspect.

“Threats against anyone in our community, credible or not, are unacceptable and we must always take them seriously,” said Chapel Hill Police Chief Celisa Lehew. “The community members who reported this, and our partnership with the school system, were essential to a quick resolution. We’re grateful for the team effort.”

Per North Carolina law regarding juveniles, law enforcement is not allowed to identify the suspect by name.

As a result of the post, CHCCS said additional police would be present along the perimeters of the high school campuses on Wednesday as law enforcement investigated. In its morning alert, the district also thanked the families who brought the social media post to the district’s attention.

The incident is just the latest in a wave of posts alleging or insinuating violence could be coming at schools in the wake of a shooting at a high school in Winder, G.A. on September 4. A 14-year-old student opened fire on his peers, killing four people and injuring nine others. CHCCS saw some of its campuses mentioned in a post last Tuesday from the Charlotte metro area that mentioned violence against several school districts, and eventually led to the arrest of two juveniles. Additionally, Orange County Schools investigated a series of “vague” social media posts with the sheriff’s office on Friday that led to additional security on campus. Neither of the incidents led to credible threats to schools’ safety, according to both districts.

Last week’s post led to CHCCS Superintendent Nyah Hamlett sharing additional information with district families about security measures and efforts when there is a threat to school safety. The post laid out standard response protocols for keeping students and staff safe in classrooms if an emergency arises, as well as updated surveillance cameras, check-in and check-out procedures for visitors, and door security. Hamlett also summarized employees’ training, student and staff report in the wake of tragic news, and how to report something suspicious to district leaders.

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