PRESS RELEASE: City of Lenoir Police Department, 09/13/2024
On the morning of Friday, 9/13/2024, the City of Lenoir Police Department began to receive
information on potential threats of violence being enacted at our high school located within the
city limits of Lenoir. Upon further investigation, it was learned that these threats were being
made on a social media platform and shared with students. The vigilant staff of Hibriten High
School immediately began implementing safety protocol measures to ensure the safety of all
students. As a result, both Hibriten High School and William Lenoir Middle School were placed
on lockdown until the City of Lenoir Police Department could evaluate the legitimacy of the
threats.
Investigators with the City of Lenoir Police Department immediately filed legal documents on
various digital media sources in an attempt to obtain the offender’s location and identity. As a
result, the offender, Brynnem Scott Gregory, was located in Morganton, NC, and was
immediately arrested.
The City of Lenoir Police Department would like to thank the many agencies who assisted
during this investigation. Our partnerships with the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office, Caldwell
County School System, and the Burke County Sheriff’s Office proved vital in rapidly resolving
this incident.
We are aware that these types of incidents have been occurring at other schools within Caldwell
County. This investigation is ongoing, and any further information related to this incident or
others will be addressed appropriately to ensure that our community and schools remain safe.
Chief Brent Phelps said, “The safety and security of our schools are of the highest importance to
the Lenoir Police Department and all law enforcement agencies within Caldwell County. I want
to reiterate that the collaboration and partnerships that law enforcement possess with our school
system are and always have been a top priority. I want to thank the administrative staff of
Hibriten High School and the Caldwell County School System for their continued efforts to
ensure we have their utmost cooperation and support when incidents like these arise. We know
as a team, we can’t do this alone”.
Anyone with information regarding this, or any other crime, is encouraged to contact the City of
Lenoir Police Department at (828) 757-2100 or the Lenoir / Caldwell County Crime Stoppers
anonymous tip line at (828) 758-8300.
