Local leaders respond to threats at community college, woman arrested
The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office said Danielle Parker Gossett, 38, was charged with three felonies
Arrest made after Isothermal Community College event cancelled due to threats
The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office said yesterday that Captain Chris Lovelace secured criminal charges against one person accused of making threatening telephone calls to Isothermal Community College, which led to the cancellation of a community event “Paint the Campus Blue” planned for Saturday, October 21, 2023.
Capt. Lovelace arrested Danielle Parker Gossett, 38, of Oliver Street in Marion, North Carolina, according to a post on the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. (Note: The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center report for November 1 shows a Morganton address.) She was charged with two felony counts of making a false report of an act of mass violence to occur on educational property and one felony count of obstructing justice.
After the arrest, Gossett appeared before a magistrate who set a court date for an initial appearance hearing and to set conditions of release. She was released from custody on a $25,000 unsecured bond. Court records show she is due back in court on February 7, 2024. Additionally, the Sheriff’s Office release said investigators are seeking charges against a juvenile related to this incident.
“We take this type of criminal threat seriously in that the disruption of an event is only one of the negative impacts realized from this type of reckless and unlawful activity,” Sheriff James Aaron Ellenburg said. “Over the last week my staff and I have heard from concerned parents of students and from parents who have children who were scheduled to play soccer on the college’s soccer fields asking for assurances regarding their children’s safety. The careless and reprehensible behavior of conveying threats of violence robs responsible citizens of their trust with society and has them to question the safety of engaging in wholesome family activities and attending positive community events. The negative effect of instilling fear and terror can be long term and of great significance. Individuals who choose to engage in this type of abhorrent and cruel acts of intimidation must be aggressively pursued and held accountable.”
Many elected officials and community leaders were scheduled to participate in the event’s “dunking booth” to help raise money.
Local officials responded to Cops & Congress. Doug Barrick, Town Manager of Rutherfordton, said via email on October 21, “This is an unfortunate situation in our community that certain individuals have made threats to an event designed to unite. I am proud of the leadership of law enforcement and ICC for placing safety first and hope that justice is served in this matter. I look forward to a time when the community can gather with ICC and support learning and unity on their beautiful campus.“
“Unfortunately, due to the multiple threats received, Isothermal Community College leadership team canceled the event in abundance of caution in consultation with the Isothermal Community College Board of Trustees, the State Bureau of Investigation, and local law enforcement,” said Bryan King, Chairman, Rutherford County Board of Commissioners (via email on October 21). “Many people in our county had volunteered to participate in the event to share in the joy of the day with our fellow citizens, family, and friends. I would like to thank ICC for their support of educational opportunities for our citizens and their continued willingness to give back to our community.“
Sheriff Aaron Ellenburg thanked Captain Lovelace, investigators, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation for their assistance in helping to identify the caller. He also thanked District Attorney Ted Bell for his office’s assistance. He praised Isothermal Community College President Dr. Margaret Annunziata and staff for their professional responses in dealing with the threats and for their immense cooperation in working in unison during the investigation.
Cops & Congress by Annie Dance is a service journalism newsletter, focusing on police, policy, and public records in the Lake Lure, NC area. It is free to read, but it is not free to produce. Please click on the button below to support my work.
Thank You
📰 You, the readers and donors make this independent, community-supported, public-service journalism possible. Help keep this newsletter free.
☕️ ⛽️ Virtually buy me a coffee or a gallon of gas to help me inform you by covering the important issues of Rutherfordton, Lake Lure and western NC. Donate here. For further inquiries, including tips, suggestions, in-kind support, or sponsorships, email CopsandCongress@gmail.com.
Follow me on X (Twitter), Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
Learn more about this newsletter and my background.