North Carolina Man Arrested for Threatening to Shoot Black Preschoolers
RALEIGH, N.C. — Federal authorities have arrested a Carteret County man accused of making violent, racially motivated threats against a Black preschool, in a case that has drawn sharp condemnation from law enforcement officials.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina, 25‑year‑old Zachary Charles Newell, of Newport, was taken into custody after allegedly posting multiple threats on YouTube under the username CommentatorsHateMe.
Court filings state that on August 26 and 27, Newell wrote that he would “shoot up a black pre school” and made additional racist threats promoting violence against Black individuals.
The threats were flagged by Google and reported to the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center, triggering a joint investigation with the Carteret County Sheriff’s Office.
Newell was initially charged in state court with communicating a threat of mass violence on educational property. He was released on a $30,000 bond set by a magistrate, but federal agents moved quickly to take him into custody again, with additional federal charges expected.
Federal Response
U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle described the threats as “deeply disturbing” and vowed to use “the full force of the federal law enforcement apparatus” to address them.
“We will not tolerate using the internet to spread fear or target communities, especially innocent children, with heinous threats of violence,” Boyle said.
James C. Barnacle Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Charlotte Field Office, said the case should serve as a warning to anyone who believes they can make violent threats anonymously online.
“Every child in North Carolina deserves to go to school without fear,” Barnacle said. “This federal charge should be a warning… FBI Charlotte commends the Carteret County Sheriff’s Office for taking immediate action.”
If convicted of the current federal charge, Newell faces up to five years in prison.
School Threats in Context
The arrest comes amid heightened concern over threats and violence targeting schools across the United States.
According to CNN, there have been 47 school shootings so far in 2025, 23 of them at K‑12 schools. These incidents have resulted in 19 deaths and at least 77 injuries.
Law enforcement agencies have repeatedly warned that online threats — even if not acted upon — can cause significant disruption, fear, and trauma for students, families, and educators. Federal prosecutors have emphasised that such threats will be treated seriously, regardless of whether the perpetrator intended to carry them out.
Next Steps
Newell remains in federal custody as prosecutors prepare additional charges. Authorities have not disclosed whether the preschool named in the threats has been identified or contacted, but they have confirmed that security measures were taken immediately after the threats were reported.
Officials are urging the public to report any threats against schools or students to law enforcement immediately, noting that swift reporting in this case allowed for rapid intervention.
