WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office and the county District Attorney's Office held a joint press conference regarding the incident at Parkland High School.
The DA, Jim O’Neill, stood firm in his and the county's support for teachers after a video circulated of a Parkland High School student hitting a teacher.
“Teachers have a thankless job and a very difficult job," said O'Neill. “If you put your hand on law enforcement or a teacher, justice will be swift and mighty”
Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough, Jr. said he was horrified by the video.
"What I witnessed yesterday. I still see it playing in my head," said Kimbrough.
The Winston-Salem Chief of Police, William Penn, Jr., called the video despicable.
The DA called on all state legislatures for harsher punishments on those who assault teachers.
"the legislature has got to do something about these kind of cases where teachers are assaulted. We do an excellent job of protecting our law enforcement, but the legislature has to act," said O'Neill. "We have to protect those that are going into our school system and trying to teach and trying to keep control of classrooms because you don’t ever want to see a teacher assaulted."
"If you put your hands on a teacher, it's the same as putting your hands on one of these officers. The district attorney's office will bring the weight of this office down on top of you. So you should have fear of consequences," said O'Neill.
WFMY News 2 asked if there was a possibility the student would be tried as an adult, and the DA said this:
“Without talking about the facts of this particular case - in any case, if someone is charged with a juvenile petition that is what would amount to a misdemeanor in Superior Court, the DA’s office cannot bind assaults over like that to Superior Court,” he said.
O'Neill also asked for protection of the teacher's privacy.
The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools superintendent is recommending the Parkland High student accused of assaulting a teacher be expelled.
The incident happened on Monday and the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office charged the student the following day.
School officials said a hearing board will meet to determine the student's future.
Deputies said the student was filmed hitting a teacher inside a classroom at Parkland High School. The student was charged with two counts of misdemeanor assault and one count of communicating threats. Deputies did not identify the student because he is a minor.
"All of us should be outraged when those who educate us can be assaulted. We should hold those who teach and educate our children to the highest regard. Our hope and our prayer at the FCSO, is that we recognize, that we as a community, must bring order not only to our community but our children. We are praying for wholeness for those students who witnessed this and the educator involved," Sheriff Bobby F. Kimbrough Jr. said in part.
On Monday, Parkland High School's principal Noel Keener and the district superintendent Tricia McManus released a statement addressing a video of an "unsettling interaction" between a teacher and a student.
Principal Keener said the administration was made aware of the video circulating on social media and that the sheriff's office was investigating.
Superintendent McManus said the video showed a student getting into a physical altercation with a teacher.
"This behavior will not be tolerated. At no time is it acceptable for students to put their hands on a teacher in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. My focus now is on making sure that our teacher is taken care of and has the support needed to navigate through the lasting effects of this incident," McManus said.
Keener also said the student will face "disciplinary action" on behalf of the school district as well.
Read the principal's full statement below:
"Hello Parkland Families, this is Noel Keener, Principal at Parkland High School. I am calling to let you know that earlier today our administration was made aware of a disturbing video of an inappropriate and unsettling interaction between a student and a teacher being circulated on social media. Our administration has started an investigation immediately in conjunction with our law enforcement partners at the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office. The student involved in the video will face disciplinary action in accordance with district policies and procedures. The student may also face criminal charges.
Please know this video is not reflective of our expectations of students at Parkland High School. We are working with district staff to address this immediately and ensure behavior like this is not tolerated in our school and district.
We always appreciate you making us aware anytime there is something that concerns you. When you see a concerning social media post or text, please remember to report it, not repost or reshare it. We ask that you remind students about the consequences that can come from circulating or sharing inappropriate videos. We take all such matters seriously and thank you for your patience, partnership, and understanding. If you have any questions, please let me know."
This story is developing. Check back for updates.