Moore County substation attack

Duke Energy

Industry	Electric utility
Headquarters	Charlotte , United States
Area served	Moore County, North Carolina and other regions
Products	Electrical power distribution

On December 3, 2022, gunfire struck two electrical distribution substations in Moore County, North Carolina, resulting in power outages impacting up to 40,000 homes and businesses and causing one death. Power restoration was initially projected to require as long as four days. In response, local officials declared a state of emergency and enforced a curfew.

Background

Just under two weeks prior to the Moore County incident, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) alerted private sector entities about heightened threats targeting electric infrastructure from individuals promoting “racially or ethnically motivated violent extremist ideology” with the intent to provoke civil unrest. The Department of Homeland Security issued a warning regarding a 14-page white supremacist manual distributed via Telegram by accelerationist groups advocating for low-technology assaults on vital infrastructure such as power grids.

While no direct connection to this event has been established, authorities have long voiced concerns over violent extremists aiming at electrical grid facilities. Previous attacks include incidents at substations in Metcalf, California (2013), Arkansas (2013), Utah (2016), as well as unspecified occurrences in Washington and Oregon.

Attack

According to Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields, gunfire heavily damaged a Duke Energy substation in Carthage around 7 p.m., followed by similar attacks on a second substation located in West End. These assaults caused extensive power disruptions across much of the county. A local reporter observed damage at one substation’s gate area, including a broken pole obstructing an access road.

Power outages commenced shortly after 7 p.m. on December 3, affecting roughly 36,000 customers throughout central and southern parts of Moore County. Duke Energy confirmed substantial equipment damage at both substations and indicated that repairs would require several days.

Investigation

The inquiry is being conducted by the Moore County Sheriff's Department alongside the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the FBI, and all eleven municipal police agencies within Moore County. Support is also provided by the Department of Energy’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER).

Investigators recovered approximately two dozen shell casings from a "high powered rifle" at the scene. These casings are undergoing analysis through the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network to identify potential matches and may aid in uncovering additional evidence such as tire impressions or footwear marks.

On December 7, 2022, Governor Roy Cooper announced a collective reward totaling $75,000—offered jointly by the State of North Carolina, Duke Energy, and Moore County—for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.

Motive

Authorities characterized the shooting as a "targeted," "intentional, willful and malicious" act; however, no suspects or motives have been officially identified.

In the aftermath, online speculation suggested the attack was intended to disrupt a local drag show scheduled that evening in nearby Southern Pines, though these assertions remain unverified and contested.

By December 7, investigators were exploring two potential motives: extremist domestic actors promoting assaults on critical infrastructure and anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment. Although no conclusive evidence links the shooting to the drag event, its timing amid escalating tensions surrounding LGBTQ+ gatherings has prompted investigators to consider this angle.

Aftermath

By December 6, power outages continued to affect roughly 35,000 residents in Moore County, with restoration efforts rescheduled to be completed by midnight on December 7. The following morning, the number of affected customers dropped to approximately 23,000, and full electrical service was restored at the Moore County hospital. Duke Energy announced that all damaged substation components had been either repaired or replaced. By 4 p.m. on December 7, only about 1,200 customers remained without electricity, prompting the official removal of the curfew starting at 5 a.m. on December 8.

Throughout the blackout, backup generators sustained operations at Moore County Regional Hospital as well as Southern Pines’ water and sewer facilities. Residents were urged to limit travel or proceed with caution due to malfunctioning traffic lights. A curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., initially imposed on December 4, stayed in effect until power was fully restored. A temporary shelter was established at the Moore County Sports Complex, and local schools remained closed from December 5 through December 8.

One fatality occurred during the outage period; authorities examined whether the blackout had any bearing on potential criminal charges. On August 30, 2023, North Carolina’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner officially classified the death of Karin Zoanelli, an 87-year-old Pinehurst resident reliant on an oxygen concentrator disabled by the outage, as a homicide.

Responses

Sheriff Ronnie Fields of Moore County confirmed that the substations were intentionally targeted, suggesting the perpetrators possessed knowledge about their actions; however, he stopped short of labeling the event as domestic terrorism. His department found no evidence linking the attacks to a nearby drag show, refuting related claims circulating on social media.

John Kirby, spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council, stated that the White House was actively tracking developments and emphasized the importance of enhancing protections for critical infrastructure.

Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina denounced the incident as a grave offense against essential infrastructure and urged comprehensive investigations by both state and federal agencies.

See also

• Electrical grid security in the United States
• Metcalf sniper attack