'Scary situation.' Teen with rifle near Northern High School in Durham faces charges: Sheriff
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- Northern High School in Durham went on a secure status lockdown just before 2 p.m. on Wednesday after police and deputies reported they were conducting an investigation for a possibly armed person near the school.
A secure status lockdown means students, staff, and teachers are told to stay inside the building and keep the outside doors locked.
Durham Police Department said officers responded to Long Crescent Drive after receiving a call about a person with a weapon. When they arrive, the suspect's vehicle took off. The vehicle was then seen near Northern High School.
The Durham County Sheriff's Office reported late Wednesday that a teenager was dropped off near the school in a stolen car. According to the sheriff's office, they later found a 16-year-old walking in the 4900 block of Paces Ferry Drive wearing a ski mask. The teen also had a rifle hidden in his pants.
The teen was detained and faces charges of possession of a firearm by a juvenile, going armed to the terror of the people and carrying a concealed firearm.
Because of his age, his name will not be released, the sheriff's office said in a news release.
If you have information about the incident that could help the investigation, you're urged to call Cpl. A. Boudreault at 919-560-0897 or Durham Crimestoppers at 919-683-
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Reactions
Durham dad Jeff B said he looked outside his window and saw police apprehending the juvenile Wednesday.
"Well take everything as it comes. Nothing I can do about it as an individual and just hope people can work together to solve the greater issues that are causing these problems systemically," he said.
Tracy Gould, a mom of two, is a 911 operator in Cary. She was out on a bike lesson when the incident happened.
"I mean it's concerning it's the third time this kid has had this situation with guns. Like what do we do like what can we do? A kid walking around in the neighborhood?" Gould said. "It's concerning for me. I have a 9-year-old home as well and you see it on the news. I experience in my job every day a scary situation."
