Charlotte parents protest release of man who threatened school shootings

Parents in Charlotte, North Carolina, are expressing outrage following the release of Drew Owens, a 31-year-old man who previously threatened to carry out mass shootings at five local schools. Owens had sent a series of threatening emails targeting Garinger High School, Ardrey Kell High School, West Charlotte High School, Community House Middle School, and Hawk Ridge Elementary School.

In his threats, Owens indicated intentions to kill staff and students. Prosecutors noted that Owens had a history of five prior arrests in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area and was also wanted for failing to appear at a court date related to a 2019 incident at the White House. While a judge initially set his bond at $10,000, prosecutors successfully moved to increase it to $200,000 secured in February 2025.