On the night of December 3 over 45,000 people in Moore County were left without power due to a firearms incident where a substation power box was shot at. During the night, there was a drag show happening in Southern Pines in the Sunrise Theater by where the incident happened. Sheriff Ronnie Fields is further investigating this case and is now considering it to be a “Criminal occurrence” relating possibly to the drag show that was happening. 

  Governor Roy Cooper has commented on the attack in Moore County and says he wants to improve the security of electrical grids so this situation doesn’t happen again. At a press conference, Cooper said, “This kind of attack raises a new level of threat. We will be evaluating ways to work with our utility providers and our state and federal officials to make sure that we harden our infrastructure where that’s necessary, and work to prevent future damage.” 

  There have been many social media posts speculating that the purposeful blackout was in connection to the drag show and the shooting aimed to stop the show. Authorities are still investigating whether the attack may be considered domestic terrorism. “Regardless of motive, violence and sabotage is not tolerated,” Cooper said at the press conference. 

  Due to these damages, schools were closed Monday and a curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 p.m. was set in place. Duke energy is working on repairing the substations but aren’t expecting it to be fully up and fixed until Thursday Dec. 8. There haven’t been any suspects yet, but police are investigating people that could possibly be connected to the crime.