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On Friday, September 20 th 2024 the Washington Police Department and Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office were made aware of a potential threat directed toward P.S. Jones Middle School in Washington.

Investigators with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and Washington Police Department immediately began investigating the threat. School officials were immediately notified, and law enforcement presence was increased at the school and extra security measures were put in place.

Sheriff Hammonds also increased the presence in and around the other county schools as the information was developing.

A juvenile was identified as the suspect and removed from the campus. The juvenile was transported to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office to be interviewed with their parents.

As a result of the investigation, a juvenile petition was obtained charging the suspect with felony Communicating a Threat of Mass Violence on Educational Property. The juvenile was served and transported to the Pitt Regional Juvenile Center.

Beaufort County School Administrators were notified of the charges. The investigation is still ongoing and no further information will be released at this time.

Sheriff Scott Hammonds encourages anyone with information regarding any threat of school violence or any other crime to contact the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office at (252) 946-7111. You can also submit tips anonymously by contacting Beaufort County Crime Stoppers at (252) 974-6400 or submit confidential tips online through the Beaufort County Sheriff’s App by clicking on submit a tip.