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Randolph County Sheriff’s Office

Franklinville church collapse III June2023

Church wall collapse causes commotion in Franklinville

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Emergency workers gather at Franklinville United Methodist Church. (Scott Pelkey/Randolph Record)

FRANKLINVILLE – A side of Franklinville United Methodist Church collapsed Thursday night, with one wall blown out.

There were no injuries and no one was in the building at the time of the incident, according to emergency workers on the scene.

Here’s a look at the scene shortly after the wall collapse at Franklinville United Methodist Church. (Courtesy photo)

The cause of the collapse is unclear and there were a couple of early theories. One, it has been linked to a wall collapse of the brick structure without other factors. The other possible cause was a gas explosion.

An initial call to the Franklinville Volunteer Fire Department came in as a commercial fire. When department members arrived, they reported a partial collapse of the structure from a gas explosion.

Church officials said it was just a wall collapse.

A witness nearby said it sounded like two trucks hitting each other. Deputies with the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office deputes just up the road reported that they didn’t hear anything from the site.

There was a big response to the church wall collapse in Franklinville. (Scott Pelkey/Randolph Record)

Part of North Main Street was closed.

The church dates to the late 18th century.

Randolph County police vehicle for WEB

Asheboro, county schools take precautions from social media threat

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ASHEBORO – Schools throughout Randolph County continued with classes Friday with increased law enforcement presence because of threats stemming from social media.

The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office deployed extra deputies to all school campuses, according to the department.

“As in any instance of a threat, precautions are being taken. Additional law enforcement are present on school campuses in Randolph County,” according to a statement from the sheriff’s office.

A Snapchat threat was sent throughout the state and to other parts of the country, according to several reports.

Asheboro City Schools continued operations, though advisories were sent to parents.

As part of a memo from the city schools, officials had been “made aware of a social media post with threatening messages towards schools.”

Though the message was sent nationally, it was shared within the Asheboro High School community, according to the school’s notification to parents.

So, the school day began with a secured perimeter with all students reporting directly to their classrooms. No students were permitted outside the main building until that directive was lifted.

Superintendent Steven Gainey of the Randolph County School System delivered a message to parents Friday night via an automated phone service.

“I am calling to make you aware that a national message of potential school violence was posted on social media during the night (Thursday) night,” Gainey’s message said. “Please know that the leadership of the school system is working closely with the Randolph County Sheriff’s Department to investigate and monitor this situation. Also, the Sheriff’s Department has placed additional officers on our school campuses throughout the school system as a means of additional support for the safety of our students and staff members. Please know that the safety of our students and staff members is our first priority at all times.”