Williston student in juvenile detention center after attack on principal

A 13-year-old Williston student is in a juvenile detention center after tackling the school’s principal earlier this week. The mother of the student said he’s been treated unfairly since Wednesday’s scuffle. The school board said it is investigating the incident, interviewing both student and staff witnesses.

Family and friends of the Williston 7th-grader say they are angry. Mother, Vashti Crummy said, “I just want my son home. I just feel he wrongfully accused.”

Community members, including State Representative Sandra Spaulding Hughes, stood out front of the school Friday. They said they were there to ensure the investigation into the incident is handled fairly.

Vashti’s son is in a juvenile detention center awaiting formal charges of assault on a government official and disorderly conduct. The boy was allegedly acting out in the gym. When asked to stop, school officials say he tackled Williston’s principal, and other staff members jumped in to try and restrain him.

“Once she went down, my son went down also. That’s when the coach came, and jumped on my son, when he was already down started punching him, kicking him, and was bending his arms and said ‘how does it feel boy’, said Crummy.

Both the principal and student received minor injuries. The New Hanover County School Board will not confirm how many staff members were involved in scuffle, but will say all the staff reported to work the next day.

“We want to make sure we have reached all personnel involved in the incident,” said NHC superintendent, Al Lerch.

The student’s mother works at Williston as a cafeteria cashier. She said the day after the incident she was transferred to Noble Middle, without reason or warning.

As per school policy, the student is suspended.