What is known, according to Captain Patrick Jacobs, it started with two students and others joined in the fray.
The sheriff’s office today released the names the of students who were arrested and it remains unclear whether the others who joined in were acquainted with the two in the original fight. It is not clear who the two involved in the original were, Jacobs said.
The original fight, Jacobs said in a statement, escalated into a large group fight which created separate fights within the cafeteria of the Gaston school and throughout the building.
Jacobs said in the statement the school resource officer and staff stepped in to prevent the fight but it quickly escalated and officers from surrounding agencies were called in to assist in de-escalation. Officers were able to gain control of the situation and numerous arrest were made.
Jacobs said in the statement eight students 16-years-old and older were arrested and charged with felony inciting a riot, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct.
A total of four juveniles were issued juvenile petitions on the same charges and released to the custody of their parents.
The of-age students arrested have November 15 court dates.
They are:
Dre’Quan Taylor received a $500 secured bond
Stepheon Ashe received a $7,000 secured bond
Denzel Ashe, who is Stepheon’s brother, received a $7,000 secured bond
Malani Hill received a $7,000 secured bond
Karice Ransome received a $7,500 secured bond
Patrick Ransome, who is Karice’s brother, received a $7,000 secured bond
Raddre Britt received a $7,000 secured bond
Darek Deloatch received a $7,000 secured bond.
Denzel Ashe, Jacobs said in the statement, was served additional outstanding warrants for two counts of communicating threats and received an additional $1,000 secured bond.
Jacobs said in the statement the resource officer reviewed the school surveillance recording and identified several other students involved in the fight.
These students were served warrants on October 26 and were identified as Trevathan Shearin and Aveeyon Vick. They were charged on the same counts as the others and received $7,000 secured bonds.
Also, on October 26, Jacobs said Stepheon Ashe, Denzel Ashe, and Patrick Ransome were all arrested after returning to school.
Each were arrested and charged with second-degree trespassing and each received $200 secured bonds.
Patrick Ransome was charged additionally with simple possession of marijuana and received an additional $300 secured bond.
All the students, Jacobs said, have been suspended.
Sheriff Jack Smith said in the statement, “Our overall objective is to keep the school safe, along with staff and students. Our number one goal is to protect the school, staff, and student property and to assure that all students get to school, are safe while in school, and get home safe after school.”
Said Smith: “The Northampton County Sheriff’s Office stands side by side with the Northampton County School system and superintendent in promoting school safety and preventing violence.”
Smith also thanked the agencies which responded and said, “I encourage parents and students to talk to one another to try to prevent future problems at school. Northampton County High School also has a school resource officer and counselor that students are encouraged to talk to if they know of the potential for violent conflict.”