RALEIGH, N.C. — Federal agents have struck again in Eastern North Carolina, arresting Zachary Charles Newell for a chilling social media threat to ‘shoot up’ a black preschool. The DOJ’s USAO has charged the Carteret County man with making vile threats, including targeting innocent children with heinous acts of violence.
Newell’s alleged actions have been met with severe condemnation from U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle, who vowed to use the full force of federal law enforcement to meet ‘this evil.’ The FBI Charlotte commended the Carteret County Sheriff’s Office for their swift action in making the arrest, emphasizing that threats directed at schools will be thoroughly investigated.
Court documents reveal Google’s National Threat Operations Center alerted the FBI after detecting threatening comments from YouTube user ‘CommentatorsHateMe,’ later identified as Newell. In a series of posts discussing wrestling matches, Newell made explicit threats against black individuals and schools. One particularly chilling comment reads: ‘I’m gonna shoot up a black pre school. 20 black babies will be shot.’
“Every child in North Carolina deserves to go to school without fear,” said James C. Barnacle Jr., FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina, noting the federal charge as a warning against anonymous violent threats. If convicted, Newell could face up to five years in federal prison.
Ellis Boyle announced the charges, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Blondel is prosecuting the case. Related documents can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or PACER by searching for Case No.4:25-MJ-01076.
The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty, a reminder that justice will be served in this grim affair.
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Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Cybercrime|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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