Lake Norman High Student Facing Arson Charge After Trash Can Fire

MOORESVILLE, NC — A 14-year-old Lake Norman High School student has been suspended and potentially faces felony arson charges after the school was forced to evacuate after a bathroom trash can was set on fire Wednesday in an incident that was videoed and posted on social media, according to the Iredell County authorities.

The April 17 incident occurred in the 400 Hallway boy’s bathroom at the school located at 186 Doolie Road in Mooresville, according to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded to the school around 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, finding the hallway filled with smoke. Smoke activated the school’s fire alarms and students and staff were evacuated. When firefighters responded to the school, they found the fire contained to the trashcan in the bathroom, ICSO said.

An investigation was launched into the incident, and it didn’t take long for deputies to determine the suspect behind the fire. “Because the incident was videoed by a juvenile student, and posted to his 'SNAPCHAT' social network, the video immediately became viral,” ICSO said. “Sheriff’s Office investigators quickly identified the suspect who set the fire, and the person who videotaped the incident.”

ICSO said it forwarded its investigation findings of felony arson charges for the student to Juvenile Services.