Union County Sheriff Says Marshville Teen Planned To Attack Several Students

CHARLOTTE, NC– “I’m discouraged that it happened, but I’m encouraged we were able to stop it,” said Union County Sheriff, Eddie Cathey.

A Forest Hills High School student brought knives, flammable liquid, fireworks, a dismantled shotgun shell and a hit list to school on Tuesday. Canadian law enforcement saw an online chat room discussion in which investigators say the student was threatening to stab several kids and alerted authorities here.

“If we hadn’t looked at it who knows what would have happened we think we know what would have happened,” said Cathey.

Standing beside Sheriff Cathey is school resource officer, Deputy A.J Wallace.

“His demeanor was fine basic questions, asked him about things he might have that was inappropriate to have at school,” said Deputy Wallace.

Deputy Wallace worked with the assistant principal to pull the student aside and search his book bag, confiscating the knives and stopping any possible attack. Sheriff Cathey says the teen isn’t in custody, right now he’s getting counseling.

“We want to follow up with other students that knew him and knows his thinking, talk to the other students involved,” said Cathey.

Deputy Wallace says the student had no prior disciplinary issues.

“There was writings and journals,” said Deputy Wallace.

Those journals could explain why certain kids were named on the hit list.

“Was it something I missed I could have picked up on, don’t know, so self evaluation everyday makes us as School resource officers get sharper with our skills,” said Wallace.