09/12/2026
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It has been brought to my attention that there are concerns surrounding the upcoming Homecoming events at Hoke County High School, including the football game and tailgating activities.
As Sheriff of Hoke County, I have been entrusted with the responsibility of helping ensure the safety of our citizens and those who visit our county. That responsibility requires me to speak up when I believe conditions may create unnecessary risks to public safety.
I do not expect everyone to agree with my recommendations. However, when my office is asked for a public safety assessment, it is my responsibility to provide an honest recommendation based on the information available, our experience, and the conditions we anticipate.
Regarding the Homecoming game and tailgating activities, I expressed concerns that gathering several thousand people in an area affected by unfinished construction, hazardous areas, and physical barriers could create significant public safety challenges. These conditions can restrict the movement and effectiveness of law enforcement and emergency personnel should a serious incident occur.
These concerns are not without reason. We have experienced multiple fights and incidents involving weapons at school-related events. During last yearβs Homecoming activities, law enforcement seized multiple weapons, including a weapon classified as a weapon of mass destruction under North Carolina law, as well as illegal drugs. We may never know what the intent was, but our responsibility is to prevent tragedy and not wait until a life is lost before taking action.
Tonight, we received another warning sign. A fight occurred, and a teenager was shot at McDonaldβs. Those involved were reportedly attending tonightβs game. The circumstances of that incident remain subject to investigation, but it should remind all of us why communication, preparation, and cooperation are so important.
Hoke County, we need to pay attention.
We are only a few weeks away from Homecoming, and as of today, neither I nor members of my command staff have been invited to a formal Homecoming planning meeting where all of the appropriate stakeholders are sitting in the same room discussing safety, security, traffic, emergency response, crowd control, and contingency plans.
That is a letdown to our community.
When an event is expected to bring thousands of people together, public safety cannot be an afterthought. Law enforcement, emergency services, school officials, county leadership, and other appropriate stakeholders should be at the table together well before the event takes place.
I ask every person involved in making these decisions to ask themselves a serious question: Are we truly doing everything we can to protect the safety of others?
This is bigger than personalities, positions, politics, or differences of opinion. I believe it is time for us to come together and change the narrative.
To my fellow elected officials, County Commissioners and School Board members I respectfully ask that we come together. Public safety officials need to be included in conversations and planning when large events and other decisions could affect the safety of our citizens, students, visitors, and first responders.
We cannot afford to work in separate corners. We cannot allow differences of opinion to prevent us from sitting at the same table. Most importantly, we cannot lose sight of our young people. We are losing too many of them to violence, and addressing that problem requires all of us.
I recognize and respect that I do not control how Hoke County Schools operates. My responsibility as Sheriff is to identify public safety concerns and provide recommendations. Ultimately, decisions concerning school operations belong to Hoke County Schools and its governing authorities.
My door is open.
I invite our School Board members, County Commissioners, school administrators, law enforcement leaders, emergency services, and other appropriate stakeholders to sit down together at my office or wherever necessary and have a serious conversation about protecting our citizens and our children.
This is not about who gets the credit or who gets the blame. This is about preventing the next tragedy.
The warning signs are in front of us. We have an opportunity right now to come together, put differences aside, and demonstrate that the safety of Hoke County comes first.
It is time to change the narrative. It is time to come together. And it is time to put public safety first.
Sheriff Roderick Virgil
Hoke County Sheriff
I approve this message.
