[ad_1]
A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer is under two investigations and on administrative leave after video showed him slamming a female student onto the ground while trying to break up a fight at West Charlotte High School.
CMPD Deputy Chief Ryan Butler said during a Friday evening news conference that criminal and internal affairs investigations are being conducted into the officer’s actions. The officer is a school resource officer, but his name has not been released.
The fight occurred around 2:15 p.m. during school dismissal, Butler said.
“At that time, a fight with a large crowd broke out,” Butler said. “Officers responded to that fight and were trying to separate parties. During the officers’ response, one of the officers engaged with a female student.”
Video circulating online shows a crowd of people near buses in a parking lot as a fight is unfolding. A police officer in the middle of the crowd is holding a stun gun as he picks up a female student and slams her onto the ground. Another officer walks over. The girl is motionless after being slammed.
The student was transported to the hospital, treated and released, Butler said during the news conference.
The criminal investigation is being conducted by CMPD’s Criminal Investigations Bureau, Butler said. That means CMPD detectives will make the decision about whether to charge one of their own officers with a crime. Officers are interested in speaking with “any witnesses that are out there,” he added.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools said it’s aware of the fight that occurred at West Charlotte High School and reviewed a video circulating online that it said was “deeply concerning and difficult to watch.”
CMS said the West Charlotte Principal Paula Cook sent the following message to families at 5 p.m. Friday:
West Charlotte Families, this is Principal Cook. I am reaching out to inform you of a fight that took place on our bus lot during dismissal today, a video of which you may have seen circulating on social media. We understand this footage may be disturbing. We have contacted the families of all students involved.
School leadership is aware and this incident is being investigated by both Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and CMPD. We will provide updates as we are able.
Every student deserves to feel and be safe at school. The safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remains our top priority. Thank you for your understanding and continued support of West Charlotte High School.
This story was originally published October 31, 2025 at 7:08 PM.
Josh Bergeron is the government editor at The Charlotte Observer. Previously, he was the editor of the Salisbury Post in Salisbury, N.C. and worked as an editor and reporter at newspapers in North Carolina, Kentucky, Alabama and Mississippi. He’s a proud LSU alumnus — Geaux Tigers.
[ad_2]
Rebecca Noel,Josh Bergeron
Source link