Drew Andres Owens, 33, was released from the Mecklenburg County Jail on Aug. 22, three days before Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students were scheduled to return. He faces five felony counts alleging threats of mass violence against five schools. Owens has pleaded not guilty, and the cases remain pending. The release has raised concerns among parents as the new school year begins.
| 1) | Release came just before the school year |
| 2) | Indictments describe alleged threats |
| 3) | Affidavit details alleged harassment |
| 4) | Bond amounts were reduced and posted |
| 5) | Parents voice safety concerns as cases continue |
Release came just before the school year
Jail records show that Drew Andres Owens was released at about 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22, in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students were scheduled to return to classrooms on Tuesday, Aug. 25. Owens satisfied the court-ordered conditions of his pretrial bond, allowing him to leave custody while the criminal cases proceed.
The timing of the release drew attention because the allegations involve threats against public schools. The charges remain accusations, and Owens has pleaded not guilty. It was not immediately clear whether he had an attorney representing him.
Indictments describe alleged threats
A Mecklenburg County grand jury indicted Owens in March 2025 on five counts of communicating threats of mass violence on educational property. Four counts concern emails allegedly sent on Feb. 15, 2025, involving West Charlotte High School, Ardrey Kell High School, Community House Middle School and Hawk Ridge Elementary School.
Court documents allege that the messages threatened to “slaughter staff and students.” A separate indictment concerns a mailed threat involving Garinger High School. The related affidavit stated that the threat claimed a student armed with two shotguns and an AR-15 would carry out a mass shooting. School administrators later determined that no student matching the name in the threat was enrolled at Garinger, according to the affidavit.
Affidavit details alleged harassment
The warrant affidavit identifies Darryl Owens, Drew Owens’ father and a West Charlotte High School ROTC instructor, as someone who told police he believed his son was responsible for the threats. The father allegedly said Owens had harassed relatives, neighbors and family friends after being removed from the family home in 2021.
The affidavit also states that the father reported receiving unsigned emails and letters threatening to kill or shoot people at multiple locations. He told authorities that he had previously obtained a restraining order against his son, that Owens had been arrested for violating it, and that the order was later dismissed. He also alleged that Owens had sat outside neighbors’ homes and photographed his vehicle at West Charlotte High School in an effort to lure him outside.
Bond amounts were reduced and posted
The four-school case was initially assigned a $135,000 secured bond with electronic monitoring in February 2025. A judge reduced that amount to $60,000 on May 1, 2026, according to docket records. The separate case involving Garinger High School carried a secured bond of $15,000.
Court records show that a professional surety posted the $60,000 bond on the Friday night before Owens’ release. The records list the $60,000 obligation in the four-school case and the $15,000 obligation in the Garinger case. The available information does not state why the judge reduced the first bond amount.
Parents voice safety concerns as cases continue
Parents speaking after the release said they were uneasy about sending their children to school as classes resumed. One parent questioned whether Owens might appear at one of the schools and said, “I’m not going to feel at ease, I’m not going to pretend it’s OK.” Another parent said the situation was confusing because Owens had previously faced a bond described as substantially higher and questioned what had changed in the assessment of the alleged threat.
Public records also show that Owens had prior arrests involving resisting arrest and shoplifting, although a complete total of prior arrests was not immediately available. The current felony cases remain unresolved, and the allegations have not been proven in court.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Owens was released Aug. 22, three days before students were scheduled to return. |
| 2 | He faces five felony counts tied to alleged threats against five schools. |
| 3 | Owens has pleaded not guilty, and the cases remain pending. |
| 4 | The bond amounts were $60,000 in the four-school case and $15,000 in the Garinger case. |
Summary
The release of a Charlotte man accused of making mass-violence threats against five schools has intensified parent concerns just as students were preparing to return. Owens remains under court-ordered pretrial conditions and has pleaded not guilty. The charges and allegations will be resolved through the pending criminal proceedings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges does Drew Andres Owens face?
He faces five felony counts alleging that he communicated threats of mass violence on educational property involving five Charlotte-area schools.
When was Owens released?
Jail records show that he was released at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 22, three days before Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students were scheduled to return.
How much was the bond?
The four-school case carried a $60,000 secured bond after a reduction from $135,000. The separate Garinger High School case carried a $15,000 secured bond.
Has Owens been convicted?
No. Owens has pleaded not guilty, and the cases remain pending. The allegations have not been proven in court.
