Charlotte man accused of mass shooting threats at 5 schools released days before classes begin

A Charlotte man indicted on five felony counts accusing him of threatening mass shootings against five area public schools was released from jail just three days before students were scheduled to return to class.

Drew Andres Owens, 33, was released from the Mecklenburg County Jail at 11:30 a.m. on Aug.

22, according to jail records.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students were scheduled to return on Aug.

25.

A Mecklenburg County grand jury indicted Owens in March 2025 on five counts of communicating threats of mass violence on educational property.

He has pleaded not guilty, and the cases remain pending.

THREE SCHOOL SAFETY STEPS EVERY PARENT SHOULD KNOW BEFORE CLASSES BEGIN Four counts allege Owens sent emails on Feb.

15, 2025, threatening West Charlotte High School, Ardrey Kell High School, Community House Middle School and Hawk Ridge Elementary School.

According to court documents reviewed by Fox News Digital, Owens allegedly sent messages threatening to "slaughter staff and students." SUBSTITUTE TEACHER ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY TRIGGERING FALSE ACTIVE SHOOTER ALERTS AT 5 SCHOOLS: SHERIFF A separate indictment alleges a mailed threat against Garinger High School.

The affidavit claimed that a student, who was armed with two shotguns and an AR-15, would carry out the mass shooting.

School administrators later determined that no student by that name was enrolled there, according to the affidavit.

The warrant affidavit states that Darryl Owens, Drew's father and a West Charlotte High School ROTC instructor, told police he also believed his son was responsible for the school threats.

FOLLOW US ON X Darryl Owens allegedly told authorities that his son had harassed relatives, neighbors and family friends after being removed from the family home in 2021, and had sent unsigned emails and letters threatening to kill or shoot people at multiple locations.