A 22-year-old man is accused of using Snapchat’s location-sharing feature to try to kidnap a woman and another person on the Blue Ridge Parkway, according to an indictment filed in federal court.
Evan William Blankenship, of Whittier, North Carolina, drove to the Water Rock Knob Overlook on Sept. 28 and pointed a pistol at the two who were in a parked vehicle, according to court documents.
The indictment says he tried to pull the woman out of the car by her hair, then threatened both before hitting the woman in the face, which caused her to temporarily lose her hearing. He also allegedly fired the gun into the air.
According to federal court documents, a second victim convinced Blakenship to let them go.
The woman said she knew the assailant through Snapchat and he used the app’s Snap Map feature to find her on the Blue Ridge Parkway, according to the indictment.
Channel 9 spoke with some people who often use the popular social app.
Jim Kalogeros said he shares his Snapchat location with friends.
“Obviously being long-distance, we rely a lot on social media and texting and Snapchat just to make sure we are talking all the time,” Kalogeros said.
However, Kalogeros said he will now think twice about his app’s location tracking.
“I may actually change my settings. It’s stuff you don’t really think about,” he said.
Alyssa Carfagno said she keeps her location private after a close call.
“I had somebody show up to a bar and then one day, and then multiple times, and other places, just hopping around and magically being at the same place as me,” Carfagno said.
Melanie Hempe promotes social media safety through her nonprofit Screenstrong.
“It always starts with someone who they think is like them, or a friend,” Hempe told Channel 9. “That never starts with someone who has a big sign across their chest that says ‘I’m a predator. I’m out to get you.’”
She suggests teens only share their smartphone location with relatives.
Hempe also encourages families to talk about safety and consider limiting their social media usage.
Oct. 2, 2023: Hints of fall color are appearing in the North Carolina High Country, especially at higher elevations, as seen here in this photo of Grandfather Mountain taken from the Blue Ridge Parkway. The area has experienced many sunny days and cool nights the last few weeks, prompting the seasonal transition. While some pockets of color and certain trees are very vibrant at the moment, the overall landscape is still mostly green. The weather forecast for the week looks pleasant for those wanting to get the first glimpses of fall.
Oct. 3, 2023: Fall color continues to emerge at the highest elevations of Grandfather Mountain. This photo was taken from the end of the Black Rock Trail looking toward the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery.
Oct. 4, 2023: This sunrise photo was taken from the Mile High Swinging Bridge at Grandfather Mountain. Pictured is a spot (in the middle of this photo) that turns early every year and exhibits particularly vibrant fall color. This area, between Grandfather Mountain and the Blue Ridge Parkway, usually changes first because it is a heath bald and the associated shrubs transition before the trees that surround it, making it pop amid the landscape.
Oct. 5, 2023: Fall color is filling the landscape of Grandfather Mountain's upper reaches, as seen in this image looking up at Linville and Morton Peaks. While there is still a lot of green on the mountain, the transition to autumn hues is progressing from one day to the next. Colder temperatures are expected to move in this weekend and may cause the process to quicken.
Oct. 6, 2023: Fall vibrancy continues to ramp up in the High Country, as seen in this image looking toward neighboring Grandmother Mountain from the end of the Black Rock Trail.
Oct. 7, 2023: One of the best places at Grandfather Mountain for spotting fall foliage right now is from the area in front of the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery. This view looking up toward Linville Peak showcases a variety of seasonal colors contrasted with evergreen trees.
Oct. 8, 2023: Very nice pockets of color are developing around the Linn Cove Viaduct, the iconic bridge that winds around Grandfather Mountain. Fall foliage in the region is at its best above 4,500 feet in elevation, though this weekend’s colder temperatures could spur the color development on.
Oct. 9, 2023: The park road at Grandfather Mountain provides a nice snapshot of the current landscape. While some vibrant trees and pockets of color dot the hillsides, there is still much to come. Overall in the region, a lot of green remains. This view from the switchbacks near the top of the mountain shows the entrance of the Bridge Trail across from the Black Rock parking lot.
Oct. 10, 2023: Bright hues of witch hazel highlight this iconic view of Forrest Gump Curve on the drive up to the top of Grandfather Mountain. Witch hazel is among the many seasonal plant species that also brighten up the fall color landscape. Likewise, unique and colorful in this area of the park right now are the red berries of mountain ash and the yellow flowers of goldenrod. This vantage point can be found at Cliffside Overlook.
Oct. 11, 2023: Though the mountain and surrounding areas have not yet reached their peak, more autumn hues are covering the landscape each day. Linville Peak’s lofty vantage point makes it one of the best places in the N.C. High Country to enjoy a fall view. Throughout the season, this location, on the far end of the Mile High Swinging Bridge, remains an ideal spot to take in the color progression as it makes its way down to lower elevations.
Oct. 12, 2023: This long-distance shot of Grandfather Mountain’s Mile High Swinging Bridge (and Top Shop building, on the right) was taken from the Blue Ridge Parkway, near Green Mountain Overlook, at Milepost 300.6. The red, yellow and orange hues set against an evergreen backdrop are becoming more and more vibrant. The weather conditions for Friday should be pleasant for leaf-peeping adventures in the area, with scattered light rainfall forecasted for over the weekend.
Oct. 13, 2023: Cliffside Picnic Area and Overlook provides this unique vantage point looking up at Linville Peak, with fall foliage and the rich red hue of mountain ash berries brightening up the shot. This spot is just one of a dozen picnic areas in the park. These sites are located in some of the mountain’s most picturesque settings and offer an array of scenic views.
Oct. 14, 2023: Color is widespread on the mountain, including in nearby MacRae Meadows, as seen in this photo taken earlier this week.
Oct. 15, 2023: The drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway between Linville and Blowing Rock remains one of the best routes to see autumnal tones. This view offers the additional treat of fall color reflecting off of Price Lake. Grandfather Mountain is also mirrored in the water, as seen in this photo taken last week.
Oct. 16, 2023: Color has really ramped up across the area in the last few days, as seen in this iconic view of the Linn Cove Viaduct from U.S. 221. The surrounding towns of Linville, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, Beech Mountain and Boone are all great locations to see widespread and vibrant color. This photo was taken on Sunday.
Oct. 17, 2023: This stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway around Grandfather Mountain is really showing off a vibrant blend of fall colors this week. The scene displayed in this photo is a long-distance view of the very popular Rough Ridge, which can be accessed from a trail at Milepost 302.8.
Oct. 18, 2023: Fall foliage on Grandfather Mountain remains exceptionally colorful as the surrounding vistas get increasingly vibrant. Colors are currently the best above 3,500 feet. The Mildred the Bear Environmental Habitats provide another perspective of autumn hues, as seen in this image from an overlook at the bear habitats. The color show can also be enjoyed from the cougar and elk viewing areas.
Oct. 19, 2023: The Historic Cheese House in Banner Elk plays off the surrounding autumnal tones. The structure, built in 1917 and originally home to an award-winning cheddar cheese operation, is now owned by Lees-McRae College.
Oct. 20, 2023: Fall color beautifully fills this shot of the Historic Mill Pond in Banner Elk, showcasing a serene autumn setting. While today’s (Friday’s) forecast calls for occasional rain, the skies should clear for most of the weekend. The area’s foliage is exceptionally vibrant right now for those planning their leaf-looking trips.
Blankenship was arrested on Oct. 11.
He was charged with kidnapping, two counts of assault with intent to commit a felony, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm and possession and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Blankenship was indicted Wednesday in a federal courtroom in Charlotte. He is in federal custody.
“While we can’t comment on active cases, nothing is more important than the safety and security of our community,” Snapchat commented.
Snap Map is off by default, a spokesperson pointed out. Users must opt-in to the feature.
VIDEO: Driver accused of leaving scene after hitting, killing man on Blue Ridge Parkway
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