It was a normal Sunday afternoon in High Point until it wasn’t. People don't usually expect a quiet North Carolina transit stop to turn into a crime scene, but on July 23, 2023, that's exactly what went down at the local Amtrak station. It was violent. It was sudden. And honestly, it left a lot of people wondering how safe regional rail travel actually is when there aren't TSA checkpoints at every door.
A man named Brandon Shane Avery, who was 28 at the time, decided to target a 63-year-old man who was just waiting for his train. This wasn't a minor scuffle or a verbal disagreement that got out of hand. It was a brutal, unprovoked stabbing that sent shockwaves through the Piedmont Triad. When we talk about the North Carolina train attack, this is the specific event that highlights the vulnerabilities of "soft targets" in our infrastructure. High Point police were on the scene fast, but the damage was already done.
The Chaos at High Point Station
The 100 block of East High Avenue is usually pretty sleepy on a Sunday afternoon. Amtrak’s Carolinian and Piedmont lines roll through there every day, connecting Charlotte to Raleigh and eventually New York. It’s a lifeline for commuters. But at 2:30 PM, the peaceful atmosphere shattered.
Witnesses saw a man—later identified as Avery—approach the elderly victim on the platform. There was no clear motive. No previous relationship. Just a sudden, terrifying outburst of violence. Avery reportedly stabbed the victim multiple times, focusing on the neck and head area. It’s the kind of nightmare scenario that makes you look over your shoulder the next time you're standing behind the yellow safety line.
Police arrived to find a grizzly scene. The victim was rushed to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. For a while, it was touch and go. You’ve got to hand it to the first responders and the medical team at the regional trauma center; they managed to stabilize a man who, by all accounts, shouldn't have survived that kind of trauma. Avery didn't get far. Officers nabbed him shortly after the assault, and he was hit with a charge of Attempted First-Degree Murder.
Why Motive Still Matters (And Why We Don't Have One)
In cases like the North Carolina train attack, everyone wants to know why. Was it a robbery? A hate crime? A mental health crisis?
The High Point Police Department remained tight-lipped about the "why" for a long time. They focused on the "what" and the "who." Avery was held under a massive $2 million bond at the Guilford County Jail. When a bond is that high, it tells you everything you need to know about how the state views the danger the individual poses to the public.
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Some people tried to link this to larger trends of transit violence seen in cities like New York or Chicago. But North Carolina is different. Our stations are smaller. The community is tighter. When something like this happens in a place like High Point, it feels personal. It feels like a violation of a safe space.
Security Gaps in Regional Rail
Let’s be real for a second. If you fly out of RDU or Charlotte Douglas, you’re stripped of your shoes and scanned by a million-dollar machine. If you hop on an Amtrak in High Point or Greensboro? You just walk onto the platform.
This attack sparked a massive debate about Amtrak security. Amtrak has its own police department—the Amtrak Police Department (APD)—but they can’t be everywhere at once. They cover 21,000 miles of track across 46 states. Usually, they rely on local law enforcement like the High Point PD to handle the heavy lifting at smaller stations.
- Platform Access: Most NC stations are open-air. Anyone can walk up.
- On-board Security: There are rarely armed guards on the actual trains.
- Surveillance: While cameras exist, they don't stop a knife from swinging.
The North Carolina train attack proved that the "honor system" of regional travel has its limits. Following the incident, there were calls for increased patrols, but those cost money. And Amtrak is always fighting for every cent of funding it gets from Congress. It’s a catch-22. You want safety, but you don't want to pay $200 for a ticket to Charlotte just to fund a security detail.
Comparing High Point to Other Incidents
We should probably clarify that this wasn't the only "train attack" people talk about when they search for North Carolina rail incidents. You might be thinking of the 2015 derailment or the various car-versus-train collisions that happen way too often at rural crossings.
But the 2023 stabbing was different because it was a targeted, interpersonal attack. It wasn't an accident. It wasn't a mechanical failure. It was a human being choosing to hurt another human being in a space meant for public service. That’s what sticks in the craw of the local community.
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The Legal Aftermath for Brandon Avery
The justice system moves slowly. Avery faced the Guilford County court system, and the case highlighted the complexities of North Carolina’s felony laws. Attempted First-Degree Murder is a Class B1 felony. In this state, that’s just one step below actual murder.
If convicted, a person is looking at decades behind bars. No questions asked.
During the hearings, details about Avery's background were sparse, but the severity of the unprovoked nature of the attack was the primary focus of the prosecution. They didn't just want a conviction; they wanted to send a message that the transit system isn't a playground for violent offenders.
Interestingly, the victim's recovery became a bit of a local miracle. People in High Point rallied. There’s a certain grit to the folks in this part of the state. They don’t just fold when things get bad.
Practical Safety Tips for NC Rail Travelers
You shouldn't stop taking the train. Honestly, it’s still one of the safest ways to travel, statistically speaking. You're way more likely to get in a wreck on I-85 than to face a North Carolina train attack.
But you’ve gotta be smart.
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First off, keep your head out of your phone. I see people at the Greensboro and High Point stations all the time with noise-canceling headphones on, completely oblivious to who is walking up behind them. Don't do that. Keep one ear open.
Second, know where the exits are. On the Amtrak Piedmont or Carolinian, the conductors are usually in the middle or end of the cars. If you feel weird about someone on the platform, move toward the station office or toward a group of people. There is safety in numbers.
Third, use the "See Something, Say Something" protocol. It sounds cheesy and like a government slogan, but it works. Amtrak has a specific text-for-help line (APD11 or 273-11). Save it in your phone. If someone is acting erratic or "off," let the conductor know before the train even leaves the station.
Moving Forward From the High Point Incident
The High Point station has tried to return to normal. They’ve looked into better lighting. They’ve coordinated more with local patrols. But the memory of that July afternoon lingers for the regulars.
What we learned from the North Carolina train attack is that safety isn't a guarantee—it’s a practice. It requires the state to fund mental health services, the city to provide adequate policing, and Amtrak to prioritize passenger well-being over just keeping the engines running on time.
If you're traveling through North Carolina via rail, stay alert but don't stay scared. The victim in the High Point case survived, and the perpetrator was caught. The system worked in the aftermath, even if it failed to prevent the first blow.
Immediate Steps for Concerned Travelers:
- Download the Amtrak app to receive real-time security alerts for your specific route.
- Familiarize yourself with the layout of the High Point and Greensboro stations if you are a frequent commuter; knowing where the staff offices are located can be a lifesaver.
- Report any suspicious unattended baggage or aggressive behavior to the Amtrak Police Department by calling 1-800-331-0008 or texting APD11 (273-11).
- Support local initiatives that advocate for increased funding for transit security and mental health outreach programs in the Piedmont Triad area.
Understanding the reality of these events helps us build a more resilient travel network. The 2023 attack was a wake-up call, and the response from North Carolina law enforcement has been a commitment to ensuring that the rails remain a safe corridor for everyone from students to seniors.