Deputy seen on video slamming boy to ground at middle school is fired, NC sheriff says
Surveillance footage captured a school resource officer hurling a student to the ground in the hallway of his North Carolina middle school — twice.
He’s since been fired.
The deputy’s name has not been released, but Sheriff Curtis R. Brame with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office confirmed in a news release Monday he’s no longer employed.
“We appreciate all concerns regarding this matter,” Brame said in the release. “However, we will ask that everyone remain patient while this investigation is ongoing.”
According to the release, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is looking into the matter at the sheriff’s behest.
The sheriff’s office said it responded to a complaint Dec. 12 from the school district “regarding the assault on a juvenile by a law enforcement officer.” A security camera at Vance County Middle School in Henderson — about 40 miles north of Raleigh — caught it on video.
In the footage, the resource officer is seen picking up a student under the age of 12 and slamming him to the ground, WSOC reported. The deputy then throws the student down a second time before dragging him onward.
Vance County Schools confirmed the incident in a statement sent to McClatchy News.
“We are deeply concerned by the actions that took place. School and district officials are working closely and in full cooperation with the local authorities to address this matter consistent with school board policy and state laws. The safety of our students has been and continues to be of the utmost importance to our district,” officials said.
Superintendent Dr. Anthony D. Jackson apologized to the community during a press conference Monday.
“We will work tirelessly to ensure that this never happens again to another child in our school system,” he said, according to WRAL.
He also said Vance County Schools will be “modifying” its agreement with the sheriff’s office, but did not elaborate on what that might look like.
The child’s grandfather, Pastor John Miles, told WRAL he expects criminal charges to be filed against the deputy.
“As a pastor I have to forgive him. I have no choice. But I still want justice done,” he said, according to the media outlet. “As a grandfather, I’m just hurt right now.”
Vance County District Attorney Mike Waters said the child’s injuries could determine “any potential charges that are filed,” according to WNCN.
The boy is “recovering at home,” his father told WSOC. His mother told deputies he has a bump on his head but wasn’t taken to the hospital, WRAL reported.
“I was stunned and shocked because I have eight grandchildren, four between the ages of 8 and 13,” the sheriff told WRAL. “To see a child that small reminded me of one of my grandchildren.”
The deputy involved was initially placed on administrative leave, according to the sheriff’s office.
There are typically two resource officers at the middle school, WNCN reported. A substitute resource officer has been assigned since the incident.
This story was originally published December 16, 2019 at 12:52 PM.
