CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department resource officer J. Flowers responded to a fight Thursday involving about six students in the hallway of Harding University High School, according to a CMPD news release.
A new video released Friday showed more of the intense brawl between the students at Harding University High School.
Flowers attempted to de-escalate the situation and disperse a large crowd when a 15-year-old student involved in the fight tackled the officer, knocking him to the ground, police said.
When Flowers regained his footing, he attempted to restrain the student and handcuffed him. Police said the student was being combative and resisted Flowers, who used physical force in an attempt to gain compliance.
The student was arrested and Merissa Robinson said it was her son, Davione.
“The school is saying he was in the brawl but from what I'm seeing and hearing, he was trying to break it up,” Robinson said.
Officers also recovered a pair of brass knuckles in the possession of the teen. He was charged with assault on a police officer, simple assault, resisting arrest and weapons charges.
The teen was taken to a juvenile detention facility.
“Right now it's just a bunch of he said, she said, and I just don’t know,” Robinson said.
The CMPD Internal Affairs Division is conducting an investigation to ensure that Flowers followed department procedures and directives.
Statement from the school:
<strong></strong><em>This is Principal Ward with an important message about an incident that occurred at our school today. </em>
<em>Several students became engaged in a physical altercation during transition to third period.</em>
<em>The altercation was a serious one and one of our school resource officers and several staff members intervened to break up the situation and restore order.</em>
<em>Please know that there is nothing more important than the safety of our students and staff. </em>
<em>I take this incident and any issues involving student and staff safety at our school very seriously. CMS and CMPD are currently reviewing the actions of the students involved as well as the response of the adults involved to determine and implement the appropriate disciplinary action. As always, thank you for your continued support. </em>
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