IFN Staff
A South Iredell High School student was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct in connection with an incident that led to the school being placed on lockdown on Tuesday morning.
The Troutman Police Department announced the arrest of Arkady Mueller, 18, of Mooresville in a news release.
TPD officers were dispatched to a convenience store at 605 N. Main Street about 8:20 a.m. Tuesday in response to a report that an individual had pointed a pistol at two teenagers inside the store. By the time officers arrived at the store, the suspect and the teenagers had already left the scene, according to the TPD. The suspect was described as driving a white dually truck.
After receiving this information, school resource officers at South Iredell High observed a vehicle matching the description in the school parking lot, police said. As a precaution, the school was immediately placed on lockdown while officers responded and conducted an investigation.
Officers located the driver of the vehicle, identified as Mueller, inside a classroom. He was detained without incident.
During the investigation, Mueller stated he had been participating in a social media game known as “Senior Assassin,” and that the weapon involved was a water gun, police said.
The water gun was recovered from Mueller’s vehicle and was found to closely resemble a real firearm, according to the news release. Once officers confirmed there was no active threat to students or staff, the lockdown was lifted.
Due to the disruption caused by this incident, Mueller was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct – disrupting an educational institution. He was issued a $5,000 secured bond by an Iredell County magistrate.
The Troutman Police Department and the administration of South Iredell High strongly discourage students from participating in “Senior Assassin,” both on and off campus. Activities of this nature can create significant public alarm and may be perceived as a real threat, potentially leading to serious or life-threatening consequences, police said.