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Is NC substation gunfire linked to drag show protest? Outrage as 40K homes left in dark

According to officials, complete power restoration could take as long as December 8

SOUTHERN PINES, NORTH CAROLINA: Residents of Moore County are under a curfew as Duke Energy responds to a targeted attack on two substations, leaving around 40,000 customers without power. The county has also declared a state of emergency, and the damage could take several days to repair. 

According to Sheriff Ronnie Fields, gunshots were fired at the substations knocking out power in Carthage, the county seat, around 7 pm. A second substation was attacked shortly after. More than 40,000 customers were left without power. A Duke Energy representative said the repair would include the replacement of substantial equipment, The Fayettevillie Observer reported. 

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"Unlike perhaps a storm where you can go in and reroute power somewhere else, that was not an option in this case, so repair has to be complete; in many cases, some of that equipment will have to be replaced," said spokesman Jeff Brooks. "Recognizing that we are looking at a pretty sophisticated repair with some pretty large equipment and so we do want citizens of the town to be prepared that this will be a multi-day restoration for most customers extending potentially as long as Thursday."

Tim Locklear, superintendent of Moore County Schools, confirmed that schools would be closed on Monday, December 5. He also indicated that this could be extended. "As we move forward, we'll be taking it day-by-day in making those (closure) decisions," he said.

Is the incident connected to the Southern Pines drag show?

Social media quickly assumed the shooting may have happened in connection with a drag show in Southern Pines. The Downtown Divas show planned for Saturday, December 3, at Sunrise Theater, is the fourth drag event hosted by Sandhills Pride in the last few years, Executive Director Lauren Mathers said. The protesters allegedly went on a “crusade” to stop the event, claiming drag performers are pedophiles with intentions of grooming children, said Moore County political blog writer Cheryl Christy-Bowman, according to The Fayettevillie Observer. The drag show reportedly ended early.

"The drag show in Southern Pines, North Carolina that was disrupted as a result of power substations being shot up, was targeted by Libs of Tiktok last month," a user speculated on Twitter. "A group of christofascists has shot at power substations in Moore county to shut down a drag show happening in town. 40,000 residents are without power, people who need power for medical devices, families who need to stay warm, plunging a community into darkness. A terror attack," another user said. "Domestic white terrorists bent on ending a drag show take down power in a North Carolina community. How does this sh** stop?" one user wrote.

"So you're telling me that domestic terrorists in North Carolina caused a power outage for 40k people solely because they wanted to stop a single drag show from happening??? I don't even have anything smart or interesting to say about it, just, what the hell is happening???" one user said, while another wrote, "The fascists wanted to stop a drag show in North Carolina so they shot up multiple power substations and knocked out power to 40,000 people to prevent the show from happening. This is terrorism." "White supremacist jerks endangered and blacked out a whole county in Moore County, North Carolina over a drag show. 40,000 are without power," wrote one user.

Sheriff Fields, when asked whether the shooting may have happened in connection with a drag show in Southern Pines, sad that they have yet to find any connection to the show. "Is it possible? Anything's possible. But we've not been able to tie anything back to the drag show," he said.

He added that the damage will cost in the millions. The motive for the attack has not been determined. "No group has stepped up to acknowledge or accept that they're the ones that done it," he said. "I call them cowards is what I call them." Fields urged anyone with information to call 910-947-4444.

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