An argument and crash in Carrboro are connected to lockdowns at three Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools on Tuesday, police confirm.
Around 10 a.m., Carrboro police officers responded to Smith Level Road near BPW Club Road, where police said an argument started between two groups of people in cars. The groups knew each other, police said.
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Police said one of the cars sped away after the argument, crashing into a nearby apartment building.
Police believed a suspect, possibly with a knife, was in the area near Carrboro High School, which led to precautionary soft lockdowns at Frank Porter Graham Elementary School, Culbreth Middle School and Carrboro High School.
"We had people on foot, possibly armed, and that’s what sparked secure mode for local schools," Carrboro's police chief told WRAL News.
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools lifted the lockdown by 11:50 a.m.
WRAL News crews were at the apartment as the car was being towed away. There was heavy damage to an apartment's porch, and two units had a "condemned" sign.
Amitiel Malum, a resident, said she heard a "loud crash."
"When I checked outside there was a vehicle that had crashed into the building right behind me in the adjacent apartment," Malum said.
The damage was concerning to people who live nearby.
"There needs to be a bit more road safety in this area," Malum said. "There are schools around here. People need to be driving more cautiously."
It's unclear if anyone was injured in the crash.
Carrboro police said no suspects are in custody, but there is no threat to the community.
An investigation is ongoing.