FORSYTH COUNTY, N.C. — Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O'Neill made it clear - putting your hands on a teacher won't be tolerated.
On Thursday, the DA announced that the Parkland High School student accused of slapping his teacher in a viral video last month will face charges as an adult - and not just in this case. O'Neill said 17-year-old Aquavis Hickman is also accused of assaulting another Parkland teacher in a February incident.
O'Neill stood alongside Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough and Winston-Salem Police Chief William Penn during the announcement of Hickman's charges.
"Our message to our community is simple. We stand with the teachers," O'Neill said. "We will fight to protect those teachers, and if you lay a hand on a teacher and assault a teacher, you can expect that the punishment will be swift and severe. Promise made. Promise kept."
O'Neill said they presented the facts of the case to a grand jury last week. The grand jury returned a true bill of indictment, and the cases will now head to Superior Court.
In the incident from April, Aquavis Hickman will be charged with second-degree kidnapping of a teacher by unlawfully confining and restraining her for the purpose of terrorizing her, assaulting a government official, and communicating threats.
Hickman was initially charged as a juvenile with two counts of misdemeanor assault and one count of communicating threats.
The teen is also accused of assaulting another teacher in February. There were allegations that Hickman gathered at least two others, rioted by engaging in public disturbance, kidnapped the male teacher, and tried to fight them, according to O'Neill. Officials said they do not believe the male teacher received any injuries from the incident.
Officials said Hickman's bond was set at $20,000, and he has since bonded out.
The DA and law enforcement officials said they hope today's announcement sends a message to the community that they're going to stand with teachers.
“We have to protect our teachers. We have to draw the line somewhere," Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough said.
“Our schools aren’t a battleground or a boxing ring. Our schools must be sacred,” Winston-Salem Police Chief William Penn said.
MORE WAYS TO GET WFMY NEWS 2
Subscribe to our daily newsletter Let’s Get 2 It!
Download the WFMY News 2 APP from your Apple or Google Play store.
ADD THE WFMY+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for WFMY.
Amazon Fire TV: Search for WFMY to find the free app to add to your account. You can also add the app directly to your Fire TV through your Amazon account.