No one injured or threatened, but sheriff’s office takes precautions
By Becky Long
Publisher
An apparent politically motivated phone call to a local church/school on the morning of Aug. 29 resulted in a flurry of rumors being posted on social media about a possible “escaped convict,” and a “bomb threat.”
None of that was true, but the sheriff’s office took the call seriously.
Clay County Sheriff Mark Buchanan said the incident stemmed from a phone call from a local man to First Free Will Baptist Church who spoke with Pastor Chris Rumfelt.
“Generally the man warned Rumfelt to be prepared for violence due to political related events on a federal level,” said Buchanan.
“This man never himself specifically threatened Rumfelt or First Free Will Church, but began cursing during the phone call,” he said.
At approximately 10:42 a.m. the substance of the phone call was reported to Clay County 911 Dispatch by an employee of the church. Buchanan said within two to three minutes, his officers arrived at the church.
“From the name the man gave during this phone call and the number he called from, he was quickly identified,” said Buchanan.
It was soon learned that sheriff’s officers had responded to the man’s residence on the previous evening and noted him to have been armed with a handgun.
“As a result of all of this information, the perimeter of First Free Will Church was secured by six members of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the N.C. Highway Patrol,” he said.
At 11:41 a.m. the suspect was stopped in a pickup truck at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Tusquittee Street in Hayesville. He was armed with a handgun and taken into custody. No charges have been filed.
Due to HIPPA laws, Buchanan said no further information will be released with regard to the caller. Regarding medical and mental health issues, HIPAA compliance laws ensure the protection and secure handling of sensitive patient health information.
No other calls from the man were reported to the sheriff’s office; however, Clay County School campuses were put in a “soft lock down” or a shelter in place where they continued their studies. Parents were also notified.
On-duty School Resource Officers remained at their assigned schools during this period . “We stay in constant communication with our school resource officers,” Buchanan said.
In a soft lockdown, students remain in their classrooms. “It is unlikely the kids knew anything was going on,” Buchanan said.
When asked to comment about the phone call on Tuesday, Rumfelt said, “There’s nothing going on here. Some guy just called and said Biden was going to shut the churches down. I just hope he gets the help he needs. This guy needs prayer.”
Regarding official mass notifications to the public, it is advised to use an official source for information. Buchanan noted that if an event is determined to be a danger to the general public, Clay County Dispatch will send our warnings through their NIXLE system.
“Warnings can be sent by auto calling cell phones, text messages, emails and hardline telephone numbers. Many residents are already receiving such messages about dangerous weather conditions, public water problems, etc.,” he said. “If residents are not automatically signed up, they can go to “nixle.com” to get signed up with the system.”