COLUMBIA, S.C.—Here are the latest developments in the confrontation between a South Carolina deputy and a student recorded on cellphone video (all times local):
4 p.m.
The superintendent who oversees the school where a student was thrown across a classroom during an arrest says the district is working closely with the sheriff’s department and state and federal agencies to examine what happened.
Richland School District 2 Superintendent Dr. Debbie Hamm said in a statement Wednesday that officials “know important work is ahead of us as we thoughtfully and carefully review” what transpired.
Hamm issued the statement after Sheriff Leon Lott fired a Deputy Ben Fields for not following training and procedures during the arrest of a student. The disruptive student wouldn’t leave the classroom when told and Fields threw her backward and across the floor when trying to arrest her. Video of the arrest stirred outrage after it was posted online.
The superintendent says the goal is to de-escalate situations through problem-solving and communication techniques, while avoiding confrontations.
12:30 p.m.
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott says he spoke with the officer that he fired for throwing a studentacross a classroom during an arrest and that the deputy is sorry the whole situation occurred.
Lott was asked Wednesday at a news conference whether Senior Deputy Ben Fields expressed remorse for his actions and Lott said “I don’t know if the word is remorse.” He went on to say it was not Fields’ intent to do anything to discredit the sheriff’s department.
Fields has not returned messages for comment.
12:10 p.m.
A South Carolina sheriff says he has fired a school officer after video showed him flipping a teenbackward out of her desk and tossing her across a classroom.
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said Wednesday that Senior Deputy Ben Fields has been fired. He had been a school resource officer at Spring Valley High School.
