“Community violence” led to fight involving several Colleton County High School students on Monday

COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Law enforcement responded to an incident involving several students at Colleton County High School on Monday morning.

A spokesperson for the Colleton County School District said the incident was the “result of recent community violence that has affected the school climate and culture.”

Details about the incident or how many students were involved are not currently known. But the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office said they were called to intervene and broke up a student fight.

“The student fight started in front of law enforcement while meeting with the Colleton County High School’s administration staff,” the sheriff’s office said.

A spokesperson for the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office previously told News 2 deputies were called to assist with the disturbance, but they said it was standard procedure when a fight breaks out on school property.

Meanwhile, district leaders said a vehicle search was conducted in a parking lot with trained canines. “A firearm was found in a vehicle in the student parking lot. No firearms were found in the school building,” district officials said.

District leaders said they have increased law enforcement presence on the school campus and will continue using metal detectors and enforcing clear bag policies.

“CCSD would also like to call on our community members to help us in this initiative by frequently communicating with us if they have a concern and informing district staff if they see any suspicious activity taking place at our schools,” the district said in its news release.