Teen arrested for allegedly making threats at LCC

An 18-year-old accused of making death threats at Lenoir Community College has been arrested and is in jail under a $100,000 secured bond.

Wednesday afternoon around 4 p.m., members of the Kinston Department of Public Safety responded to a report of threats made on LCC campus.

KDPS Maj. Greg Thompson of the KDPS said several students reported they heard Charles Skinner, 18, of 3504 Sloan St,, Kinston, threaten to kill people at the school. 

“According to witnesses, several significant statements were made,” Thompson said. “Skinner is a former student at LCC, but he admitted that he sometimes would still hang out on campus.”

Richy Huneycutt, LCC Director of Marketing and Recruiting, said Skinner was involved in the adult education summer session that ended in July.

“He only attended for a brief time,” Huneycutt said. “He did not complete the semester.”

Skinner was taken into custody without incident at his home by the KDPS. No motive for the alleged threats has been established.

According to police, a search of Skinner’s residence was conducted and one shotgun that belonged to the suspect’s mother was found. No ammunition was found at the residence. 

Skinner was placed in the Lenoir County Jail under a $100,000 secured bond for felony false report of mass violence at an educational facility. 

“There are no other arrests pending,” Thompson said.

After his 911 system was overwhelmed with calls from concerned residents — with the same situation lighting up the LCC switchboard — KDPS Director Greg Smith said he wants the public to know all the facts.

“There was a rumor flying around that more than one suspect was involved, but that is inaccurate,” Smith said. “We took the threat seriously and the investigation is ongoing, but we want the public to know its business as usual at the college.”

Huneycutt said that the college feels confident the situation has been resolved.

“The students that heard these threats did the right thing by contacting campus security,” she said.

LCC President Dr. Brantley Briley praised the work of the KDPS in the matter.

“They acted so effectively and efficiently, that had it all been filmed, it could be used for a training video for departments across the country,” he said.  

Jon Dawson can be reached at 252-559-1083 or jdawson@freedomenc.com.