School Resource Officer Fired After Video Captures Him Slamming Student to the Ground
The resource officer was previously placed on paid leave.
A North Carolina school resource officer who was captured on video slamming a student to the ground has been fired.
The surveillance video recorded on Thursday also included the officer picking up the middle school student, dragging him then picking him up to do it all again. He then yanked the child up before continuing down the hall. According to Lt. James Goolsby of the Vance County Sheriff's office, the deputy had been fired. At the moment, the officer has not been identified. CNN reports the sheriff’s office was alerted directly following the incident.
Jason Spriggs, Henderson City Council member said in a Facebook Live Video, "It's obvious that the child was assaulted. To see this is just horrifying." He added, "It's a rough video. I can't imagine my child going through something like that."
The officer had been placed on paid leave as an investigation was pending, according to Sheriff Curtis Brame in a report by WRAL-TV. CNN is currently attempting to reach out the resource officer.
After reviewing the video Sheriff Brame reportedly handed the investigation over to the State Bureau of Investigation. Brame on the incident: "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."
Vance County Schools released the following statement addressing the incident:
"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."
The father and mother of the child involved in the alleged assault are reportedly "very upset." He only suffered a bump on his head and will reportedly be following up with a doctor today.