A North Carolina School Resource Officer has reportedly been fired and charged with a misdemeanor days after surveillance video showed him slamming a middle school student to the ground twice.
Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame told ABC11 on Monday that Warren Durham had been fired “effective immediately.”
The deputy was previously on paid administrative leave.
The video that surfaced Thursday shows the officer throwing the 6th-grade student at Vance County Middle School to the ground and then dragging the student down the hall.
Over the weekend, Brame said he was “stunned” by the video and had asked North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation to look into what happened.
Vance County Middle School officials issued a statement Friday saying:
“We are aware of the incident that occurred at Vance County Middle School involving a school resource officer. We are deeply concerned by the actions that took place. School and district officials are working closely and in full cooperation with the local authorities to address this matter consistent with school board policy and state laws. The safety of our students has been and continues to be of the utmost importance to our district. Should you have further questions, please direct those to the Vance County Sheriff’s Office.”
The incident sparked national outcry and calls for Durham’s termination. Sheriff Curtis R. Brame announced on Monday that the officer was fired and that the incident is under review by the State Bureau of Investigation.
“We appreciate all concerns regarding this matter,” Brame said in a statement. “However, we will ask that everyone remain patient while this investigation is ongoing.”
“We are better than this. This child deserved better than this,” Vance County Schools Superintendent Anthony Jackson said during a press conference on Monday according to CNN. “We will work tirelessly to ensure that this never happens again to another child in our school system.”
The grandfather of the student in the video says he forgives the officer for handling his grandchild so roughly.
“As a pastor I have to forgive him. I have no choice. But I still want justice done,” Pastor John Miles said. “As a grandfather, I’m just hurt right now.”
Durham has reportedly been criminally charged – with misdemeanors, including assault on a child under 12 and child abuse. He faces a maximum of 90 days in jail.
