PLYMOUTH — Washington County High School’s homecoming football game and parade, scheduled for Friday, Oct. 9, have been postponed to 5 p.m. Oct. 12 as Plymouth officials respond to a series of shootings across town, including repeated gunfire at one residence over three consecutive nights.

The postponement was announced Friday “out of an abundance of caution,” according to a public notice. Updated information about the homecoming events will be released as it becomes available.

The decision follows the Town of Plymouth’s implementation of a curfew restricting unaccompanied teenagers from being out in the community between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. The curfew was enacted on Thursday, October 8, 2026, and is in effect until further notice, town officials said.

Plymouth Councilman John Shelton said the measure was adopted following discussions with Mayor Crystal Davis about the recent shootings and concerns surrounding homecoming activities.

“Last night was the third consecutive night a particular house was shot up,” Shelton said in a social media post. “There are potentially two other locations on different sides of town where there have been shootings in the past week.”

Shelton did not identify the locations, citing the ongoing investigation.

According to Shelton, the reported shootings have occurred at 10 p.m. or later, making the overnight hours a particular concern for town officials.

“Without compromising the investigation, I will just say that a curfew for teenagers gives officers and deputies a reason to stop teenagers who are out after 10pm,” Shelton said.

He explained that the curfew applies only to teenagers who are unaccompanied in public between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Shelton said the mayor decided to implement the restriction following their discussion Thursday, particularly because of the homecoming football game that had been scheduled for Friday night.

“The times of the shootings have all been 10 pm or later,” Shelton said in a Thursday statement. “After discussing this with the Mayor yesterday, she decided (and I supported) to implement the curfew, especially in light of tonight’s Homecoming football game.”

The councilman acknowledged that the decision could draw criticism but said public safety warranted action.

“As governing representatives, we realize that we will be criticized whether we act or not, so sometimes taking action is better than standing silently while lives are at risk,” Shelton said.

Mayor requests coordination with school officials

Before Friday’s postponement announcement, Davis had also contacted Washington County Schools Superintendent Dr. David White, requesting cooperation between the school system and town officials during the remainder of homecoming week.

The mayor shared the correspondence publicly Thursday, explaining that the email had also been forwarded to the Plymouth Town Council in an effort to provide transparency.

“In light of the recent shootings in Plymouth and the curfew declared by the Town, I am asking that the school system work in coordination with the Town of Plymouth throughout the remainder of Homecoming Week,” Davis wrote.

At the time, the football game was still scheduled to take place Friday evening.

The mayor requested that school officials communicate the curfew restrictions to students during school hours and encourage them to return directly home after the game rather than congregating elsewhere in town.

“We are asking that students not remain out in the community after the game and instead go straight home,” Davis wrote.

The correspondence emphasized the importance of consistent communication between the town and school system as officials attempted to address concerns about student safety.

“Given the recent events in our community, student and community safety must come first,” Davis wrote. “We want to make sure the Town and school system are providing a consistent message to students and families and doing everything possible to keep our young people safe.”

Community activities affected

The postponement of the football game and homecoming parade marks a significant change to one of Washington County High School’s annual traditions.

While the announcement cited an abundance of caution, it did not provide further details about the decision-making process or identify a new date for either event.

Additional information about the shootings, including whether investigators believe the incidents are connected, has not been confirmed.

Residents are encouraged to follow official announcements from the Town of Plymouth and Washington County Schools for updates on the curfew and rescheduling of homecoming activities.

The Albemarle Observer will continue to follow the investigation and provide updates as additional information becomes available.