Topsail teen who prompted school lockdown was committed week before

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY/StarNewsOnline) — The 18-year-old Topsail High School student charged with bringing weapons onto campus Tuesday was involuntary committed a week earlier and will be evaluated in a psychiatric hospital to see if he can stand trial, according to the district attorney’s office.

A motion was filed Wednesday questioning Topsail High student Bryce Matthew Sheehan’s mental health. According to the motion, Sheehan was on suicide watch at the jail, is suffering from an ongoing brain injury, and was committed a week before the incident. It is unclear why or where he was committed. The motion was filed by Jason Vaughn, Sheehan’s lawyer. Vaughn did not return calls seeking comment.

District Court Judge Chad Hogston granted the motion Wednesday. Sheehan will be committed to the Central Regional Hospital — Butner Campus, one of three State psychiatric hospitals in North Carolina, for no more than 60 days for observation and treatment.

Click here to read more from StarNewsOnline.