Charlotte man accused of making threats against schools released before classes resume

Drew Andres Owens, a 33-year-old man from Charlotte, was released from the Mecklenburg County Jail on August 22, 2026, just three days before students were set to return to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools on August 25. Owens faces five felony counts for allegedly threatening mass shootings at four schools: West Charlotte High School, Ardrey Kell High School, Community House Middle School, and Hawk Ridge Elementary School, with incidents reported on February 15, 2025. He has pleaded not guilty, and the cases are still pending. A separate indictment also involves a threat against Garinger High School, where a false claim was made about an armed student. Owens' father, Darryl Owens, who is an ROTC instructor at West Charlotte High School, indicated to police that he believed his son was responsible for the threats. Court records show that Owens had a prior history of harassment and had previously been subject to a restraining order. Following a bond reduction from $135,000 to $60,000, Owens was released after fulfilling pretrial conditions. Parents expressed concerns about safety as the school year begins, questioning the decision to release him given the nature of the threats.