COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Cayce Department of Public Safety said their officer used "reasonable and necessary force" in trying to break up a fight at Airport High School where a student was tasered by the officer. was
Attorneys for the teen involved say 16-year old Treyvon Hampton was in a fight with other students near the bus stop at Airport High on Wednesday.
The attorney for Hampton's family, Justin Bamberg, released a video of the incident taken from another student's cell phone. In it you can see Hamtpon fall to the ground.
That's when Bamberg says he was tased and suffered injuries from his fall.
Treyvon's family says the officer violated school policy. In a statement, however, the Cayce Department of Public Safety said their officer was justified in his actions.
"We have thoroughly investigated the incident and reviewed the use of force. We have determined that the use of force by the School Resource Officer (SRO) was both reasonable and necessary after numerous attempts to verbally and physically deescalate the altercation between the students were ignored. It is further determined that the deployment of the Officer’s electronic control device (Taser) was used because of the continued, active resistance of one student, who posed imminent danger both to the many students involved in the altercation itself, as well as the other students, teachers and staff in the area."
Cayce DPS said five students involved in the incident have been arrested and charged with assault and battery in the 3rd degree.
Lexington School District Two released a statement on the incident saying the following:
"At school dismissal on Wednesday, December 9, an incident was reported outside of Airport High School involving several individuals.
"An SRO was present at the time of the incident. Because of the nature of the events, other law enforcement officials were contacted."
"The district takes seriously the safety of its students. To that end, the district is cooperating with local law enforcement officials and conducting its own investigation into these events."
"Should any families or students have questions, contact your local school administrator."