Michael Zechariah Tedder, 19, of Advance, was sentenced to 10 months in prison on June 9, 2026, for calling universities and threatening to commit mass shootings. Appearing before Judge David A. Bragdon in Winston-Salem, N.C., Tedder also received three years of supervised release following his prison term.
According to court documents, on September 12, 2025, Tedder made specific threats of violence to the Georgia Institute of Technology, University of North Texas, and University of Louisville. He threatened to "slaughter" and "massacre" victims with a firearm and referenced "watch[ing] them choke on their [own] blood."
Counsel at Tedder’s sentencing hearing referenced his significant history of mental health issues. The threatening calls were made after Tedder saw media and online reporting about individuals disparaging Charlie Kirk following Kirk’s assassination. In March 2026, Tedder pled guilty to communicating a threat in interstate commerce.
United States Attorney Dan Bishop thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Davie County Sheriff’s Office for their response and investigation. The FBI Charlotte Joint Terrorism Task Force, Greensboro Resident Agency, conducted the investigation.