A man claiming to be armed and making threats towards a daycare center has prompted authorities to place a small town in lockdown. The incident in Highlands, North Carolina, involved a 911 call indicating the presence of a gun near the Highlands Episcopal Church.

Following the initial call, a second report identified an individual matching the description of the alleged threat-maker. As a precaution, downtown businesses were instructed to close, and residents were advised to steer clear of the area. A notification issued to locals warned of a shooting threat near the church, urging everyone to avoid downtown until further updates.

The ongoing situation has not yet yielded additional details, keeping the incident active. Despite being a renowned mountain resort town celebrated for its natural splendor, Highlands found itself grappling with an unexpected threat.

Highlands is popular for its outdoor pursuits, offering an array of hiking trails, waterfalls like Dry Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, and fishing opportunities in the Cullasaja River and nearby lakes. The locale also caters to activities such as gem mining, zip-lining, and the Highlands Plateau Greenway trails.

Concerned residents have taken to social media seeking updates on the unfolding events, with many expressing astonishment that such an incident could occur in Highlands. The mayor of Highlands disclosed that several daycare centers, including the Episcopal Daycare Center, Highlands Daycare Center, and the Methodist Daycare, were evacuated as a safety measure.

Furthermore, the K-12 Highlands School was placed on lockdown, with plans for a secure pickup under police supervision at day’s end. Law enforcement agencies are actively involved in the investigation, with the suspect’s identity still unknown. The involvement of NCSBI and the county sheriff’s office has been enlisted to aid in the probe.

In a concerning development, the suspect allegedly made claims of a bomb threat targeting the daycare center within the church premises. Consequently, a bomb disposal unit from Asheville has been dispatched to the town, necessitating the closure of all daycare facilities and the Highlands School during the investigative process.

Additional support from the Asheville bomb squad has been sought due to a separate bomb threat. As a precaution, shops have been advised to close, and residents are urged to steer clear of the town center as authorities continue to assess the situation.