North Carolina Teen Sentenced to Federal Prison for Threatening Mass Shootings at Multiple Universities

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina — A North Carolina man has been sentenced in federal court after admitting to making violent threats against multiple universities, prompting law enforcement to respond to the possibility of mass casualty attacks.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of North Carolina, Michael Zechariah Tedder, 19, of Advance, was sentenced on June 9, 2026, to 10 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to communicating threats across state lines.

The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge David A. Bragdon.

Court documents state that on September 12, 2025, Tedder placed threatening telephone calls to three universities:

• Georgia Institute of Technology
• University of North Texas
• University of Louisville

Federal prosecutors said Tedder made explicit threats describing plans to carry out mass shootings on the campuses. During the calls, he threatened to “slaughter” and “massacre” victims with a firearm and made additional graphic statements describing violence against potential victims.

Authorities treated the threats as credible enough to require an immediate law enforcement response. Threat investigations involving schools and universities typically require coordination among campus police, local law enforcement, and federal agencies to determine whether a threat is imminent and to protect students, faculty, and staff.

In March 2026, Tedder pleaded guilty to communicating a threat in interstate commerce, a federal offense under 18 U.S.C. § 875(c).

Federal law makes it a crime to transmit threats to injure another person through interstate communications, including telephone calls and other communication systems that cross state lines. Convictions under the statute can result in imprisonment, supervised release, and other federal penalties depending on the circumstances of the case.

According to information presented during the sentencing hearing, counsel referenced Tedder’s significant history of mental health issues.

Court records state that the threatening calls were made after Tedder viewed media coverage and online discussions about individuals disparaging Charlie Kirk following Kirk’s assassination.

Mental health considerations may be presented during sentencing proceedings, but they do not eliminate criminal responsibility when a defendant has been convicted of violating federal law. Sentencing decisions ultimately consider numerous statutory factors, including public safety, the seriousness of the offense, deterrence, and the defendant’s personal history.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Charlotte Joint Terrorism Task Force, operating through its Greensboro Resident Agency, with assistance from the Davie County Sheriff’s Office.

Joint Terrorism Task Forces bring together federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to investigate terrorism threats, acts of targeted violence, and other cases involving potential threats to public safety. These task forces are designed to rapidly assess threats, coordinate intelligence, and prevent attacks before they occur.

Federal officials continue to encourage the public to report credible threats of violence immediately, noting that timely reporting allows investigators to evaluate potential risks and intervene before threats escalate into acts of violence.

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