Williston student remains in juvenile detention after tackling principal

The thirteen year old Williston student who tackled his principal is still in a juvenile detention center Monday night. The incident happened Wednesday, when a teacher reprimanded the teen for acting out.

The boy is expected to go before a judge Tuesday to see if he is eligible for release. Typically, juvenile detention centers don’t hold alleged offenders unless they are considered dangerous or violent.

The youngster is charged with assault on a government official and disorderly conduct. School officials said he tackled Williston’s principal in the gym prior to the start of classes last Wednesday. Other staff members jumped in to try and restrain the teenager. The school launched an investigation, interviewing both staff and students.

A New Hanover County school spokesperson said it should be releasing the findings before the Thanksgiving holiday.

The scuffle has sparked a debate in the comments section of one of our earlier stories on this incident. Dozens of viewers have written about just who and how the school and the student should be held accountable.

Because this incident has so many people talking, community leaders, the New Hanover County DA’s office and law enforcement met Monday morning to discuss the case. They are all calling for the community to remain patient while this case is tried and the school board finishes its investigation.