Juvenile responsible for bomb threat at the North Carolina Zoo identified, deputies say

MARIA, THANK YOU. A JUVENILE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A SUSPECT AFTER A BOMB THREAT PROMPTED THE NORTH CAROLINA ZOO TO BE EVACUATED AND CLOSED THIS MORNING. THE RANDOLPH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE RESPONDED TO THE ZOO AROUND 1045 THIS MORNING. THE ZOO TOLD DEPUTIES THEY RECEIVED THE THREAT THROUGH ELECTRONIC MEANS. STUDENTS FROM WELLBORN ACADEMY AND NORTHWEST MIDDLE SCHOOL WERE ON A FIELD TRIP AT THE ZOO AT THE TIME. AFTER EVACUATING THE ZOO, DEPUTIES SAY FIVE SEARCH TEAMS SWEPT THE ENTIRE PARK. THEY FOUND NOTHING. VISITORS SAY THEY WERE SHOCKED TO SOMETHING LIKE THIS WOULD HAPPEN HERE. YOU GO TO ZOOS WITH YOUR KIDS AND FAMILY TO HAVE A GOOD TIME AND A NICE, POSITIVE EXPERIENCE AND, YOU KNOW, IT’S KIND OF SAD THAT AN INDIVIDUAL OR YOU KNOW, MAYBE A GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS WOULD WANT TO, YOU KNOW, PROVERBIALLY RAIN ON A NICE SUNNY SPRING DAY FOR FOUR PARENTS WITH THEIR KIDS. DEPUTIES CLEARED THE SCENE AROUND 140 THIS AFTERNOON. A JUVENILE PETITION WILL BE FILE

Investigators have identified the suspect they said was responsible for a bomb threat at the North Carolina Zoo Monday.The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office said the zoo received a bomb threat around 10:43 a.m. More than 1,000 guests were evacuated with the assistance of the zoo sheriff's deputies, according to the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office.The sheriff’s office said the zoo received the threat through electronic means.Top Stories1 person shot at Coco Bongo in GreensboroMan faces multiple charges after leading car chase with two infants in the vehicle, troopers sayMan wanted after firing shots to the ground at a party, police say Authorities said they did not find any suspicious items after sweeping the zoo and therefore, the bomb squad was not deployed. Deputies cleared the scene at 1:39 p.m., they said the zoo is now safe.Watch: NOWCAST streaming newscastsThe Criminal Investigations Division was able to identify the origins of the original message and identified a juvenile as the suspect who conveyed the threat. A juvenile petition will be filed with the Department of Juvenile Justice. The zoo has been cleared and will remain closed for the remainder of the day. Normal operations will resume Tuesday.Guilford County Schools has issued a statement after students were at the zoo on Monday and were evacuated due to the threat."Guilford County Schools is grateful for the swift action taken by law enforcement in Randolph County at the North Carolina Zoo. Students from Welborn Academy and Northwest Middle have returned safely to their respective campuses and will continue the school day as normal."Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking hereCheck back with WXII 12 for updates as they become available. NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Watch NOWCAST TV | Local News | National | News We Love |Trending Stories Keep up with the latest news and weather by downloading the WXII app here.

ASHEBORO, N.C. —

Investigators have identified the suspect they said was responsible for a bomb threat at the North Carolina Zoo Monday.

The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office said the zoo received a bomb threat around 10:43 a.m.

More than 1,000 guests were evacuated with the assistance of the zoo sheriff's deputies, according to the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office said the zoo received the threat through electronic means.

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Caretakers have confirmed that all animals received their morning meals prior to start of business; we are prioritizing ongoing animal care based on medical needs.
— North Carolina Zoo (@NCZoo) March 27, 2023

Authorities said they did not find any suspicious items after sweeping the zoo and therefore, the bomb squad was not deployed.

Deputies cleared the scene at 1:39 p.m., they said the zoo is now safe.

Watch: NOWCAST streaming newscasts

The Criminal Investigations Division was able to identify the origins of the original message and identified a juvenile as the suspect who conveyed the threat.

A juvenile petition will be filed with the Department of Juvenile Justice.

The zoo has been cleared and will remain closed for the remainder of the day.

Normal operations will resume Tuesday.

Guilford County Schools has issued a statement after students were at the zoo on Monday and were evacuated due to the threat.

"Guilford County Schools is grateful for the swift action taken by law enforcement in Randolph County at the North Carolina Zoo. Students from Welborn Academy and Northwest Middle have returned safely to their respective campuses and will continue the school day as normal."

Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here

Check back with WXII 12 for updates as they become available.

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