5:50 P.M. Update: Officials in Highlands confirmed to WYFF News 4 that there is now no active threat to the community.Update from Highlands Police Department:”On December 11 at approximately 10:40 a.m., the Highlands Police Department received a call reporting a threat directed at staff members of the Highlands Episcopal Church of the Incarnation at 520 Main St, Highlands, NC, which also includes a children’s day care. Our officers responded immediately, ensured everyone at the church was safe, and conducted a thorough sweep of the area.”Detective Amber Wright began investigating right away and began working to identify and contact the individual who made the call.”Out of an abundance of caution, we placed the surrounding area on lockdown, including nearby businesses, the Highlands School, and two additional day care facilities. We requested assistance from the Macon County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) and their Special Response Team, and we are grateful to have the support of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation as well. A bomb team was also brought in due to the caller’s claim of an explosive device.”Once we had sufficient law enforcement resources in place, officers and deputies began safely escorting and evacuating the day care facilities, followed by others in the area.”This situation is still active and under investigation. We will share additional information as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.”The safety of our community will always be our top priority. We sincerely appreciate your patience, cooperation, and support as we work through this incident.”Original story: The town of Highlands, North Carolina, is on alert Thursday after the mayor says threats were called in about an attack at a daycare. Mayor Patrick Taylor told WYFF News 4 that the threats started at about 10:45 a.m. Thursday. He said the initial threat involved the idea of a daycare center at Highlands Episcopal Church being attacked. Taylor said the person then called a police officer several times with more threats and said he could see the daycare and police in his line of sight. The mayor said the threats involved shooting threats and bomb threats. According to Taylor, no one in the area saw anyone suspicious at the time, but a citizen did call and say they saw someone who could be a person of interest. As of 2:30 p.m, businesses in downtown Highlands are closed and people are being asked to avoid the downtown area. The children from the church daycare were taken to a local fire station in the area to be picked up.Asheville Bomb Squad has been called in to assist.When you go to the official website for the town, highlandsnc.org, a screen comes up that says “Shooting threat near Highlands Episcopal Church. Please avoid downtown until further notice.”
HIGHLANDS, N.C. —
5:50 P.M. Update: Officials in Highlands confirmed to WYFF News 4 that there is now no active threat to the community.
Update from Highlands Police Department:
“On December 11 at approximately 10:40 a.m., the Highlands Police Department received a call reporting a threat directed at staff members of the Highlands Episcopal Church of the Incarnation at 520 Main St, Highlands, NC, which also includes a children’s day care. Our officers responded immediately, ensured everyone at the church was safe, and conducted a thorough sweep of the area.
“Detective Amber Wright began investigating right away and began working to identify and contact the individual who made the call.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we placed the surrounding area on lockdown, including nearby businesses, the Highlands School, and two additional day care facilities. We requested assistance from the Macon County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) and their Special Response Team, and we are grateful to have the support of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation as well. A bomb team was also brought in due to the caller’s claim of an explosive device.
“Once we had sufficient law enforcement resources in place, officers and deputies began safely escorting and evacuating the day care facilities, followed by others in the area.
“This situation is still active and under investigation. We will share additional information as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.
“The safety of our community will always be our top priority. We sincerely appreciate your patience, cooperation, and support as we work through this incident.”
Original story:
The town of Highlands, North Carolina, is on alert Thursday after the mayor says threats were called in about an attack at a daycare.
Mayor Patrick Taylor told WYFF News 4 that the threats started at about 10:45 a.m. Thursday.
He said the initial threat involved the idea of a daycare center at Highlands Episcopal Church being attacked. Taylor said the person then called a police officer several times with more threats and said he could see the daycare and police in his line of sight.
The mayor said the threats involved shooting threats and bomb threats.
According to Taylor, no one in the area saw anyone suspicious at the time, but a citizen did call and say they saw someone who could be a person of interest.
As of 2:30 p.m, businesses in downtown Highlands are closed and people are being asked to avoid the downtown area.
The children from the church daycare were taken to a local fire station in the area to be picked up.
Asheville Bomb Squad has been called in to assist.
When you go to the official website for the town, highlandsnc.org, a screen comes up that says “Shooting threat near Highlands Episcopal Church. Please avoid downtown until further notice.”
