BCCC: No injuries in incident at Barber Academy

Published 3:54 pm Thursday, February 2, 2023

RALEIGH, N.C.— No injuries resulted from an incident involving a student of the BCCC TFB&B Barber Academy located at 120 Cypress Way in Chocowinity. On Wednesday, February 1, 2023, student Joseph McKinney left the barber academy suddenly, making violent threats as he left. He called 911 and told the dispatcher about his plans to attack the class at the academy. He returned to the academy and attempted to enter, but the class instructor had taken precautions and locked the building in addition to calling 911. As the student drove from the scene, he fired a handgun toward the building, though no damage occurred at the building, and no one was injured.

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Department apprehended him near his residence in Washington and surrendered his weapon to deputies without incident. He remains in custody in the Beaufort County Jail.

The instructor had no prior concerns about the student.

The BCCC TFB&B Barber Academy is a partnership between Beaufort County Community College and Tapers, Fades, Beards & Baldies. Since BCCC does not lease the building, it is the jurisdiction of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Department.

BCCC is thankful to the instructor, who acted bravely and responsibly safeguard his students and to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office for helping to resolve the incident.