THOMASVILLE, N.C. — Ten students were charged after fights broke out at Thomasville High School Thursday.
According to the Thomasville Police Department, the fights first began at 1:30 p.m. and school resource officers responded to the courtyard area of the school.
When officers arrived, two students were separated and one of the students ran and left campus. Another officer was able to apprehend the student a short while later.
Soon after, the school resource officer was called again about another fight in the courtyard involving a group of girls.
Police say 40 students had gathered in the courtyard during the fight. A second officer that arrived called additional officers as fights also started beginning in other locations.
As officers were trying to restore order, police say a student became belligerent and struck an officer in the side of the head with a closed fist.
Another officer was kicked in the face, and a third was kicked in the arm by the same student as he was being put into a patrol car.
Thomasville High Student Body President Kayla Robinson spoke to WFMY News 2 Friday evening. She says the entire incident is certainly upsetting and does not represent her school as a whole.
"Things just really got out of control, and it just happened so fast, that everybody was like what’s going on?" she explained, "It’s disappointing that this has been taken to the level it has been, but at the same time, I know that this does not define us. We're not going to let this one incident say, hey, this is stamped on Thomasville High School.
"It’s just crazy because it seems like this one incident has gotten more attention than it has for all of the good and positive things that we have going on each and every day."
Thomasville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Catherine Gentry said these fights involved a select few kids, and that only four students were "highly involved" in them. She stressed that Thomasville High is not unsafe and that all staff responded appropriately and quick the situation.
Charges:
A 15-year-old male, two 15-year-old females and one 14-year-old female will be charged by juvenile petition for disorderly conduct and simple affray.
A criminal summons was taken out for a 17-year-old of Evans Avenue, Thomasville, for disorderly conduct and simple affray.
A 16-year-old of Cates Avenue, was charged with resist, delay, obstruct a public officer and simple affray. He received a $5000 secured bond and was placed in the Davidson County Jail.
A 16-year-old of Church Street, Thomasville, a 17-year-old, of Highland Avenue, Thomasville, and another 17-year-old, of Church Street, Thomasville were charged with disorderly conduct. All three were given a custody release.
A 16-year-old of New York Drive, Thomasville, has been charged with three counts of assault on a government official. He received a $7500 secured bond and was placed in the Davidson County Jail. Additional charges are possible.