Rocky Mount, NC — The Rocky Mount Police Department has taken swift action after a serious threat was made against Rocky Mount High School, reinforcing the community’s commitment to student and staff safety. On the morning of January 28, 2026, around 7:00 a.m., school officials alerted authorities to alarming social media posts indicating a potential school shooting at the high school.

Police immediately launched an investigation to assess the credibility of the threat and protect the school community. Within hours, detectives identified the source: a 16-year-old female student from Rocky Mount High School. She was arrested at 12:00 p.m. the same day and charged with Communicating a Threat of Mass Violence on Educational Property, a serious felony. The student was subsequently transported to Juvenile Services.

This incident marks the second such threat in two weeks in the Rocky Mount area. On January 20, 2026, a 12-year-old from Rocky Mount Preparatory faced similar charges for threatening mass violence at school. Authorities say these cases highlight a concerning trend of students using social media to make violent threats, prompting heightened vigilance from both law enforcement and school officials.

The Rocky Mount Police Department stressed the importance of collaboration with Nash County Public Schools, reaffirming a zero-tolerance policy for threats against students and staff. Officers emphasized that all threats are taken seriously, investigated thoroughly, and acted upon immediately to prevent potential harm.