BCCC student charged with firearm on school grounds after incident at barber academy

Published 3:43 pm Thursday, February 2, 2023

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Beaufort County Community College has reported that no injuries resulted from a Wednesday incident involving a student of the BCCC TFB&B Barber Academy located at 120 Cypress Way in Chocowinity.

“On Wednesday, February 1, 2023, student Joseph McKinney left the barber academy suddenly, making violent threats as he left. He called 911 and told the dispatcher about his plans to attack the class at the academy,” stated a BCCC press release. “He returned to the academy and attempted to enter, but the class instructor had taken precautions and locked the building in addition to calling 911. As the student drove from the scene, he fired a handgun toward the building, though no damage occurred at the building, and no one was injured.”

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Department apprehended McKinney near his Washington residence in and surrendered his weapon to deputies without incident, stated the BCCC release.

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McKinney, 39, was charged with one count of possession of firearm on school grounds. McKinney was taken into custody by Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office deputies and taken before Magistrate Eric Holmes and held in the Beaufort County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond, stated a press release from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office. “The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending,” noted the BCSO release.

The BCCC release stated the “instructor had no prior concerns about the student.”

The BCCC TFB&B Barber Academy is a partnership between Beaufort County Community College and Tapers, Fades, Beards & Baldies. According to the release, since BCCC does not lease the building, it is the jurisdiction of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Department.

“BCCC is thankful to the instructor, who acted bravely and responsibly safeguard his students and to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office for helping to resolve the incident,” stated the BCCC release.

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