Chapel Hill Police are now providing more information regarding a lockdown at Culbreth Middle School Thursday as students were being released early due to the Hurricane Dorian.

Police responded to the school just after 12:15 p.m. Thursday “due to a report of a subject wearing a mask and possibly carrying a firearm” near the school, authorities said on Friday.

The dispatch corresponded with students being dismissed early as the school district closed three hours early Thursday because of the impending threat from Hurricane Dorian.

Authorities said Friday that the school was placed on lockdown while the investigation was carried out. Police found the individual who was the cause of concern and determined “the individual had been removing personal belongings from a vehicle and put the mask on rather than carrying it.”

“There was no firearm involved,” police added, “and it was determined that there was no threat to the school or neighborhood at any time.”

Parents expressed concern over a lack of notification regarding the lockdown.

“If there was an active threat, school system and Town of Chapel Hill communication channels would be utilized to inform parents and people in the community of actions needed to be taken,” law enforcement officials said Friday.

Officers did remain on the scene to assist with student release following the lockdown due to traffic congestion at the scene.

Schools were also delayed on Friday as the hurricane threatened central North Carolina overnight Thursday into Friday.

Related Stories
‹
Lockdown Lifted at CHCCS Elementary School
Officials said in an update at 11:50 a.m. Friday that the all clear had been given by Chapel Hill Police and the lockdown has been lifted. “No confirmation the reported sounds were actually gunshots, however we are keeping the students inside this afternoon & continuing with the regular school day.”**** ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ A Chapel Hill […]
Lockdown Lifted at Chapel Hill Elementary, Middle Schools After Report of Firearm Near Campuses
Chapel Hill authorities say that there was “no threat to the community” after a local elementary and middle school were forced into a lockdown Tuesday morning. Law enforcement officials were called to Phillips Middle and Estes Hills Elementary schools around 10 o’clock Tuesday morning responding to a report of a person with a firearm in […]
Celebration of Independence Day to Alter Local Government Services in Orange County
The celebration of Independence Day on Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 will affect several local government services in and around Orange County. Here’s a look at what typical services will and won’t be happening during the weekend: Town of Chapel Hill All Chapel Hill administrative offices will be closed Friday, July 3, as […]
Drone Shows and Parades: Here's What to Know Before Orange County's July 4 Celebrations
A variety of July 4 festivities are set to take place across Orange County. Here's how local governments are celebrating.
Chapel Hill Man Wins $200,000 Lottery Prize on Scratch-Off Ticket
Kevin Valdez of Chapel Hill won the top prize of $200,000 on a $5 scratch-off ticket, the North Carolina Education Lottery said in a release Wednesday. Valdez bought his lucky ticket for the Cash King game from the Short Stop convenience store on West Main Street in Carrboro. He arrived at lottery headquarters in Raleigh […]
Juneteenth Holiday to Affect Local Government Services Around Orange County
Across the country on Friday, Black Americans and communities will celebrate Juneteenth — the national recognition of when the final slaves were freed in the 19th century and of African-American culture. As a holiday, government services around the Orange County community will be affected on June 19 and the surrounding days. Here’s what residents can […]
Local Government Meetings: June 15-19, 2026
This week in local government: a proposed AI moratorium in Durham and a board appointment (maybe) in Chatham County.
CHCCS High Schools Win State Championships in Women's Lacrosse, Women's Soccer
Two local high schools each took home state championships last weekend. Chapel Hill High School took home the North Carolina 7A championship in women’s lacrosse, while Carrboro High won the 4A championship in women’s soccer. View this post on Instagram View this post on Instagram Chapel Hill High won the women’s lacrosse title, its first […]
CHCCS Announces Leadership Changes At Carrboro High And Culbreth Middle Schools
This week, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools announced that two of its current principals will swap schools in the upcoming academic year.
Garbage Collection, Local Transit and More: How Memorial Day Will Impact Local Services
The observation of Memorial Day Monday, May 25 will affect local government services around the Orange County community. Here’s what residents can expect: Town of Chapel Hill Memorial Day is an official town holiday. Most town and other administrative offices will be closed. Residential trash will not be collected on Monday, with the make-up day […]
›