Crime
Lockdown at Lake Taylor High School lifted, no active shooter found
Norfolk, VA – Lake Taylor High School was placed under lockdown on Thursday morning after a “suspicious situation” prompted a response from local law enforcement.
According to the Norfolk Police Department, officers were dispatched to the school at approximately 10:40 a.m. following reports of a possible active shooter.
As a precautionary measure, school administrators initiated a full lockdown while officers conducted an investigation.
After thoroughly searching the premises and assessing the situation, police confirmed there was no active shooter on campus.
Additionally, no weapons were recovered during the investigation.
- The lockdown was initiated promptly to ensure the safety of students and staff.
- Police determined the threat to be unfounded.
- No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.
Norfolk Police commended school officials for their swift action and emphasized the importance of prioritizing safety in such situations.
Both the police and school administrators have reiterated their commitment to maintaining a secure environment for all students and faculty.
The investigation into the origin of the initial report remains ongoing. Authorities have urged anyone with relevant information to come forward by contacting the Norfolk Police Department or providing tips anonymously through their designated hotline.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to stay informed through official school district communications and local law enforcement updates. Further details will be provided as they become available.
Crime
4 Killed in Eden Crash at Carroll and Church Streets, Driver and Victims Identified
Michael Vernon, driver of dump truck involved charged.
A tragic crash in Eden, North Carolina, has left four people dead and several others injured following a multi-vehicle incident involving a dump truck and a utility work crew.
The Eden Police Department confirmed the incident occurred Thursday afternoon at approximately 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of Church Street, Carroll Street, and Park Road.
According to a news release from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP), 66-year-old Michael Ray Vernon of Eden was operating a 2016 Hino dump truck owned by the City of Eden.
While traveling northbound on Carroll Street, Vernon failed to stop at a posted stop sign at the intersection with Church Street.
The dump truck proceeded through the intersection, striking six pedestrians—utility workers contracted through Carolina Power and Signalization—who were performing powerline work in the area.
The dump truck continued traveling north after striking the pedestrians, colliding with an occupied bucket truck before veering off the road and crashing into a ditch.
Emergency responders from multiple agencies arrived at the scene within minutes. Four of the six pedestrians were pronounced dead at the scene.
The deceased have been identified as:
- Douglas Garland Sides, 72, of Summerfield
- Madison Carter, 42, of Sandy Ridge
- William Evans, 35, of Randleman
- Matthew Lockwood, 30, of Winston-Salem
The two surviving pedestrians sustained life-threatening injuries and were airlifted to medical facilities.
They have been identified as:
- Hunter Carter, 24, of Reidsville – transported to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in critical condition
- Kevin Alexander, 34, of Eden – airlifted in stable condition
Cody Rich, 31, of Reidsville, who was inside the bucket truck at the time of the crash, was transported by ground to UNC Health Rockingham with non-life-threatening injuries.
Michael Vernon sustained minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
He has been charged with a stop sign violation and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle.
Investigators confirmed that impairment is not believed to have played a role in the crash.
Further charges may be considered as the investigation progresses.
The intersection remained closed for several hours as law enforcement officers and emergency crews conducted their investigation.
The area was reopened to traffic at approximately 10:30 p.m.
In a statement, Duke Energy, which works in coordination with Carolina Power and Signalization, expressed condolences:
“We are saddened about the tragic event that happened today, and our hearts go out to the families and teammates of those involved. The safety of our employees, contractors, and customers is the highest priority at Duke Energy. We are working closely with law enforcement officials.”
The NCSHP continues to lead the investigation, and anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact local authorities.