Charlotte Man Accused Of School Mass-Shooting Threats Freed On Bond
Drew Andres Owens was released from the Mecklenburg County Jail on August 22, 2026, after posting bond on five felony counts for allegedly communicating threats of mass violence on educational property.[1]
His release comes days before Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools are set to begin classes, renewing concern among parents and administrators.[1] Bond in the four-school case had been lowered from a $135,000 secured bond with electronic monitoring to $60,000 on May 1, 2026, and a separate $15,000 bond covered the Garinger High School threat.[1]
Prosecutors allege Owens sent emails on February 15, 2025, threatening to "slaughter staff and students" at four Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools, and that he mailed a separate threat naming a fictitious armed student at Garinger High School.[1] A warrant affidavit says Owens' father, a West Charlotte High ROTC instructor, identified his son as the likely source of unsigned threats and described prior harassment and a restraining order that was later dismissed.[1]
Owens remains free on bond as the cases proceed in Mecklenburg County courts.[1]
Show source details & analysis (1 source)
📌 Key Facts
- On August 22, 2026, Drew Andres Owens was released from Mecklenburg County Jail after posting bond on five felony counts of communicating threats of mass violence on educational property.
- Prosecutors allege Owens sent February 15, 2025 emails threatening to "slaughter staff and students" at four Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools and mailed a separate threat naming a fictitious armed student at Garinger High School.
- Bond in the four‑school case was lowered from a $135,000 secured bond with electronic monitoring to $60,000 on May 1, 2026, with a separate $15,000 bond set in the Garinger case.
- A warrant affidavit says Owens' father, a West Charlotte High ROTC instructor, identified his son to police as the likely source of unsigned threats and described prior harassment and a now-dismissed restraining order.
📰 Source Timeline (1)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time