VANCE COUNTY, N.C. — Surveillance video from a middle school in Vance County shows a School Resource Officer slamming a student to the ground and dragging him, according to WNCN.
Vance County Schools filed a complaint with the sheriff's office regarding the video, according to Sheriff Curtis Brame.
The SRO, who is a Vance County sheriff's deputy, has been fired according to WNCN reporting from multiple sources within the sheriff’s office.
The SRO was originally placed on paid administrative leave.
“We went over and when we first saw the video, we were stunned, we were shocked. We all are parents and grandparents that have children at that same age, so it brought some great concern to us,” said Sheriff Brame.
The sheriff's office says the SBI is handling the investigation.
The boy's family says he's recovering at home, but declined to comment further.
Sheriff Brame said two school resource officers are assigned to the middle school.
Irena Como, acting legal director for the ACLU of North Carolina released the following statement regarding the incident:
The disturbing and appalling use of force at Vance County Middle School should never have been used against a child. This type of heartbreaking incident is all too common as educators increasingly rely on law enforcement to handle routine disciplinary issues, especially with children of color and children with disabilities. School Resource Officers are charged with protecting students, but they use physical force and escalate situations to the detriment of students. School Resource Officers should never handle disciplinary issues, which are more appropriately addressed by school counselors or mental health professionals, and the routine presence of police in schools should end.”