A North Carolina man indicted on charges of threatening mass shootings at five public schools was released from jail just days before the start of the school year, according to the New York Post.
Drew Andres Owens, 33, of Charlotte, was indicted in March 2025 on five counts of communicating threats of mass violence on educational property, the Post reported. The charges stem from alleged threats made against West Charlotte High School, Ardrey Kell High School, Community House Middle School, Hawk Ridge Elementary, and Garinger High School.
The Charlotte Observer noted that Owens allegedly threatened to “shoot up” multiple schools. Four of the alleged threats were sent via email and one via a letter, according to the Post.
Owens pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released from the Mecklenburg County Jail last week, just before the new academic term began.
In response to the release, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools issued a statement, saying school and district leadership are aware and remain in close communication with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Police Department and other law enforcement partners. The statement added that Owens has been banned from all CMS property, and any violation of that ban will result in immediate law enforcement action. The district also said that safety procedures and security measures in place at its schools will continue to be actively followed every day.
Father’s Account of Troubling Behavior
The Post reported that Owens’ father allegedly told police his son had harassed relatives, neighbors, and family friends after being removed from the family home in 2021, and had sent unsigned emails and letters threatening to kill or shoot people at multiple locations.
Court records indicate that the threats were directed at specific schools in the Charlotte area, with the most recent alleged threat involving Garinger High School. The exact timeline of when the threats were made has not been fully detailed in public reporting.
The release has raised concerns among parents and community members as the school year gets underway, though the district has emphasized its ongoing security protocols and coordination with law enforcement.
Local news outlet WBTV first reported on the district’s statement, and the Charlotte Observer has also covered the case. The New York Post’s reporting provided additional details about the indictment and the father’s account.
Owens’ next court appearance has not been publicly scheduled, and it remains unclear what conditions, if any, were attached to his release beyond the ban from school property.
This is a developing story, and further updates may follow as more information becomes available.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/2nd-amendment/2026/08/25/man-indicted-on-school-shooting-threats-released-as-school-year-starts/