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Students in Edgecombe County return to classrooms Monday just days after two teenagers were injured in a shooting at a high school football game.
The two teens — a 16-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy — were injured Friday night as Southwest Edgecombe High School was taking on Tarboro High School. The Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office said at least one was shot and transported to the hospital by EMS. Both teenagers are expected to be okay.
A suspect has been identified, and the sheriff’s office is working take the person into custody, the sheriff told WRAL News on Monday.
Since Friday’s shooting, school officials said they have increased security at both schools to help students as they return to classrooms.
Edgecombe County Public Schools sent a statement to both high schools that attended the game, saying there will be additional law enforcement present on campus this week.
The announcement read:
We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred during Friday
night’s football game. Our thoughts are with all who were affected. The safety
and well-being of our students, staff, and community remain our highest
priority.
Out of an abundance of caution, we will have additional law
enforcement officers present on our campus this week. We want families and
students to know that we are taking every step possible to ensure that our
schools remain safe learning environments.
The district also said counseling services will be available at each school for any students who need help or support.
Video shows people running in different directions when a gunshot rang out at the football game Friday night. Eyewitnesses tell WRAL they heard a single gunshot come from the concession stand of SouthWest Edgecombe’s football stadium.
John Jeffreys and his daughter were at the game
“It was just a single pop, and everybody stood up and froze for a moment and everybody just started rushing,” said Jeffreys.
“I was scared, and it was just very overwhelming, because all you see is people running,” said Bailee Aycock, 15, who attended the game. “You don’t know where to go, you don’t know what to do.”
Edgecombe County Public Schools and the Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office said they are reviewing security procedures.
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