Rowan authorities say the suspicious package brought to Southeast Middle School on Friday was a pipe bomb. Two 13-year-olds were charged with making the device and having it on school property. The device was seized.
In a statement, the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office said detectives determined the students did not intend to use the device at school, but planned to use it in a wooded area near the home of one teen.
The school resource officer was called to investigate, along with detectives from the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division and Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office bomb squad.
Officials determined the device was an improvised explosive device commonly referred to as a pipe bomb. Officials with the bomb squad took possession of the bomb for disposal.
Detectives interviewed both students and responded to their homes, but found no other devices, a statement said.
The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office filed charges against the students for felony possession and manufacturing of a weapon of mass death and destruction and possession of a weapon on school grounds.
The discovery of the package prompted Principal Jennifer Lentz to send out a message to parents, students and staff explaining that a suspicious package with “unknown capabilities” was found at the school. She said law enforcement took control of the situation and school officials were cooperating with law enforcement.
The students have been suspended. The school is located at 1570 Peeler Road.