Matthew, North Carolina’s Butler High School is now a crime scene. This morning two high school students, who have not been identified, were involved in an altercation. After a while of fighting, one of the kids decided to bring a gun into the mix. A shot was fired leaving this child dead. Here’s more from CBS News.
“A North Carolina high school student shot and killed a fellow student during a fight in a crowded school hallway Monday, officials said, prompting a lockdown and generating an atmosphere of chaos and fear as dozens of parents rushed to the school to make sure their children were safe.
The police department in Matthews, about 12 miles southeast of Charlotte, said the student suspect was quickly taken into custody by a school resource officer after the shooting at Butler High School.
The male student victim was transported to a hospital and died there, police Capt. Stason Tyrrell said at a press conference. “It’s been an extremely tragic event for us here in Matthews for the Butler High School community,” Tyrrell said.
The shooting was believed to be an isolated incident, the police said on Facebook. Tyrrell didn’t release the victim’s age or identity but referred to the student as a male. Tyrrell said officials reviewed surveillance video, which showed the fight.
“We heard a bang and we seen them starting to fight,” Butler high school senior Lester Henline told CBS affiliate WBTV. “All of the sudden he pulled out a pistol and everybody started running.”
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Clayton Wilcox told WSOC-TV that the student who fired the gun was angry with another student, leading to the shooting.
“We’re incredibly sad, and we’re sorry for this family,” Wilcox said. “But we’re also sorry for the young person who thought the only way to solve this problem was with a gun.”
While police have not confirmed what kind of gun was used, Wilcox said: “I don’t know how a young person gets a handgun in the state of North Carolina.” He said the school system was reviewing its security procedures.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District said on Facebook that the weapon had been secured by law enforcement. The school was placed on lockdown, which has since been lifted. Families were allowed to pick up students from the entrance to the campus.
Before the lockdown was lifted, dozens of parents gathered outside of the school to await word on the students. Multiple parents told local television channels that they felt confused and unsure about where to meet with their children. Video provided to CBS affiliate WNCN by a freshman student showed panic in a crowded hallways in the aftermath of the incident.
“A kid was shot… Kids are crying. It’s a mess,” the student can be heard saying.
When students were allowed to leave, television footage showed students streaming out, with many crying and hugging parents.
In a statement released to the station, North Carolina State Superintendent Mark Johnson said “I am heartbroken to hear that we have lost a student to school violence in one of our schools.”
“We have contacted Charlotte-Mecklenburg authorities and will assist in any way we can, but of course our first thoughts are for the parents and other loved ones of the student who passed away,” Johnson said. “The safety of our students is paramount. This is a sad day for all of North Carolina, and we must work together as a community to address these problems.”
Classes would be held for students remaining on campus, the district said.”
As we said earlier, the identities of the suspect nor the victim has been released. We are sending our condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased and the kid who decided to take a fellow student’s life today over a stupid fight. A quick and stupid decision has caused his life to change forever. And please pray for the children who witnessed this murder. Hopefully there will be counselors on hand to help with all of the emotions they are feeling.
And now, you all are officially in the know.
