Update on Friday, September 13, at 4:45 p.m.
New Hanover County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Lieutenant Jerry Brewer said 12 students were involved in Thursday's fight, and two have been arrested.
One was charged with simple assault, disorderly conduct, and resisting, obstructing, and/or delaying a law enforcement officer.
The other student has been charged with disorderly conduct on school property and assault and threatening serious injury. They broke the finger of a teacher who attempted to break up the fight.
The other ten students were charged with disorderly conduct, but Brewer says those are being deferred, meaning they won't be handled in the court system.
Brewer said it's his understanding that most all the students are being suspended, with some facing expulsion. The district as of Friday have not shared further details.
A parent did share interim superintendent’s message to the community with WHQR:
Good afternoon NHCS Families and Staff,
As we reflect on issues that occur around our nation involving violence in schools, it reminds me that in New Hanover County Schools, the safety and well-being of our students and staff has to be our highest priority. When we have safe school environments, our students can learn and grow to their full potential, and our staff can feel pride and security in their work.
But it takes all of us to make that a reality.
As we settle into this new school year, I want to remind everyone — students, parents, and staff — that school safety is a responsibility that we all share.
We encourage students to be proactive and if they see something, to say something. If a student encounters something suspicious or unsettling, whether it’s at school or online, they should immediately report it to a trusted adult.
Families are also encouraged to use the following resources to report concerns:
- Ethix 360 Reporting System: For anonymous reporting of any safety issues or concerns.
- Say Something App: A tool designed for students and parents to report potential threats.
- School Administration: Direct contact with your child's school administration.
- Local Law Enforcement: For immediate threats or serious concerns.
Together we can create a safer environment for everyone in the NHCS community.
We appreciate the work that all our staff does every day, and we also appreciate the families who trust us with the privilege of educating their students. Thank you for your cooperation and partnership as we continue to prioritize the safety and security of our schools.
—
A district spokesperson said, “A disturbance on campus caused administrators to put the school into ‘secure’ status, which is different than a lockdown. ‘Secure’ status means the exterior doors are locked to visitors, but inside instruction continue[d] as scheduled.” This ‘secure’ status was lifted at 10:25 a.m.
Lieutenant Jerry Brewer, a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office, said that a fight between three and four students ballooned into a much larger one. He couldn’t give a specific number but said that charges are likely forthcoming from his office. To his knowledge, no weapons were involved.
Deputies are currently reviewing body camera footage to determine those charges. He also said one teacher was trying to break up the fight.
Brewer said it’s likely the fight was gang-related, and to his knowledge, parents of the students involved were called to pick them up.
WHQR has contacted the district to comment on the latest details but has not heard back. The district did say earlier in the afternoon that NHHS principal Philip Sutton is working on communicating with the high school community about what took place on campus.
HQR didn't receive this information, but a parent forwarded the email from Sutton, sent at 12:53 p.m. It read:
"Today New Hanover High School was placed in a Secure protocol at approximately 8:25 am due to a series of unsafe events that involved students on the campus. [...] The Secure status lasted until approximately 10:30 am so that school officials and law enforcement could identify all students involved and maintain a safe environment. All school operations have now returned to normal. We appreciate the swift response from law enforcement and school staff in order to maintain our safe teaching and learning environment. Thank you for your continued support and please reach out to the school with any questions or concerns. Have a great afternoon Wildcats!"
