Butler High School was briefly placed on lockdown Tuesday afternoon after two students were involved in a physical altercation in one of the school’s classrooms that was broken up by a teacher.
During the fight, a weapon was reportedly dropped to the floor, prompting an immediate response from school officials and law enforcement, Principal Bernard Chatman said in a letter to parents
The brawl occurred during a regular class period at the Lumpkin Road school, with a video showing two students throwing punches as furniture gets tossed around and overturned. Witnesses say that during the altercation between the two students, a weapon was seen falling onto the floor. The situation quickly escalated, and administrators, along with the RCSS Police, responded to the scene within minutes.
VIDEO:
For approximately 45 minutes, the school was secured while law enforcement investigated the situation. Following the investigation, one of the students involved in the fight was taken into custody. The student will face charges related to the altercation and the possession of the weapon, authorities said. No name was released and the type of weapon was not disclosed.
School officials stressed that the safety of students and staff is a top priority. In a statement, Dr. Chatman condemned the behavior, emphasizing that incidents of violence and weapons on school grounds are unacceptable.
“The Richmond County School System strives to maintain a safe academic atmosphere where all students can learn and grow,” Dr. Chatman wrote in a letter to families. “Incidents of this nature are unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our schools.”
As of now, both students involved in the altercation are being dealt with in accordance with the district’s Code of Student Conduct and Discipline.
Parents and guardians have been urged to report any safety concerns to the school or the RCSS Safety Tip Line at (706) 828-1077.