Search for assault suspect leads to lockdown of 2 Statesville schools

STATESVILLE, N.C. (WBTV) – Two Statesville schools were put on lockdown following an assault Thursday afternoon, police said.

Officers responded to the assault on Pump Station Road, according to the Statesville Police Department.

When police arrived, they found Christina Foster, 28, and Michael Forth, 35, both from Morganton, N.C., with multiple lacerations. They were taken to a nearby hospital and are expected to be OK.

Both Foster and Forth are homeless and have been living in the wooded area behind the city of Statesville’s Water Treatment Plant, located at the end of Pump Station Road. They told police they were involved in an altercation with David Morgan, 71, who is also living in the same wooded area. During the altercation, Morgan allegedly cut both of them with a machete, police said.

Officers immediately searched the area and spoke to a witness who saw the incident. According to the witness, all three were involved in a physical altercation, during which Morgan received cuts to his leg and hand from the same machete, police said.

Despite the search efforts, police said Morgan wasn’t found in the wooded area. A preliminary investigation shows the altercation appears to be an isolated dispute concerning an area where Morgan was camping.

Northview Academy and Statesville Christian School were on lockdown while officers searched for the suspect, a post on the department’s Facebook page states. There was never an immediate danger or threat to either of the schools.

By 4 p.m., Statesville Christian School had lifted the lockdown and dismissed students as usual.

An investigation is ongoing. If you have any additional information, call the Statesville Police Department at 704-878-3515.

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