MCSO STAND-OFF WITH 19-YEAR OLD KNIFE YIELDING STUDENT AT SOUTH FORK HIGH SCHOOL ENDS WITH SUSPECT IN CUSTODY AND NO INJURIES, THANKS TO SWIFT ACTION OF STUDENT, FACULTY, AND DEPUTIES
A 19-year old ESE student from South Fork High School was taken into custody this morning, following a brief but intense stand-off with deputies and faculty members.
The special needs student pulled a knife on another student threatening to kill him while on the school bus. The victim photographed the incident and sent the photo to his mother informing her of the threat.
MCSO STAND-OFF AT SOUTH FORK HIGH SCHOOL
By the time the bus arrived at South Fork High School, deputies and faculty members were waiting, but the suspect ran off the bus, continuing to threaten others on campus.
Faculty members and deputies surrounded the suspect attempting to talk him down, but he became more agitated and continued making death threats. The MCSO school resource deputy deployed two Tazer rounds at the student, but was unsuccessful at stopping him. The deputy was forced to draw his weapon.
MCSO STAND-OFF AT SOUTH FORK HIGH SCHOOL
Meanwhile, the assistant principal removed his belt and charged the suspect from behind. He wrapped the belt around the teen forcing him to the ground.
The special needs student was taken to a mental health facility for evaluation. No one was injured. Sheriff Snyder credits the student who contacted his mother, faculty members, and his deputies for ending the situation without injury to anyone.
11/30/Update
The 19-year old special needs student pulled the knife out of his backpack while on the bus. A sophomore took a picture of it and sent it to his mom, who called 9-1-1. Deputies were waiting when the bus arrived, but the teenager was able to get out of the bus area and get into the halls of the school. Deputy Tom Coleman, the school resource officer, fired two shots from his taser, but that didn’t stop the teen. Deputy Coleman said he was faced with a terrible decision, shoot the student threatening to do harm to protect others, or continue to try to talk him down. Ultimately though, a belt from an assistant principal brought the standoff to an end. The assistant principal wrapped his belt around the student from behind, keeping his arms down to where deputies could take the teenager to the ground and safely get the knife. The student was Baker Acted and committed to a mental health facility. Sheriff William Snyder said he will likely not face charges, adding that the teenager recently lost a loved one and was deeply disturbed. The student’s identity is not being released. School resumed as normal after the standoff came to a peaceful end.
