Weddington High School in Matthews was abruptly evacuated Wednesday after school officials reported a threat to the building. Students and staff were moved out of the school and onto the football stadium while law enforcement officers swept the building and searched the campus. Classes and regular operations halted while the investigation was underway.
District Says Campus Cleared, No Lockdown Ordered
Union County Public Schools said the building was not placed on lockdown, clarifying that students and staff were intentionally relocated to the football stadium so officers could safely investigate, according to WCNC. A district spokesperson told the outlet that law enforcement stayed on campus while staff accounted for every student and coordinated messages to families.
About Weddington High
Weddington High serves students in grades 9–12 as part of Union County Public Schools and lists its campus at 4901 Monroe Weddington Road in Matthews, according to Weddington High School. The school’s website directs families to on-campus safety resources as well as the district’s tools for reporting concerns.
Parents Received Alerts
Parents told reporters they were sent messages about a potential lockdown and about where students were being held while officers were on campus, as reported by WCNC. Families also voiced worries on social media while the investigation unfolded, and the district said it would keep them updated as more information became available.
Past Threats Have Led To Charges
Incidents like this are not new to Union County schools: in September 2025, a teenager was charged after making a false report at a middle school, the Union County Sheriff’s Office told WBTV. At the time, Sheriff Eddie Cathey said there is “zero tolerance for anyone who makes false threats against our schools,” underscoring how quickly authorities move when a possible threat comes in.
What Officials Say Next
District leaders urged families to keep an eye on official UCPS channels for any updates and to use the district’s reporting tools if they have information to share, per Union County Public Schools. Officials said they will release additional details as the investigation progresses and asked the community to avoid spreading unverified information while police continue their work at the scene.
