Salisbury principal injured in scuffle with group

SALISBURY, N.C. — A Salisbury principal has a broken nose after a scuffle with a group of young men.

Salisbury police said the six young men who looked like teenagers walked onto the campus of Henderson Independent High School Thursday afternoon with a gun and soon started fighting with the principal and school resource officer.

“They shut all the blinds and made us stay in the classroom way longer than we had to,” said Angel Severt.

The student was in the classroom when the incident happened.  Police said an alert school resource officer noticed the men walk on campus wearing military fatigues.  The SRO told the principal.

“They go over and start speaking to the guys.  One of the fellows is acting really nervous. He starts putting his hands in his pocket,” said Deputy Chief Steve Whitley of the Salisbury Police Department.

Police said that nervous young man pulled a loaded 22 handgun out of his pocket and tossed it over his shoulder.

"By that time, the officer is going into fighting mode calling for help.”

Some of the young people got into a scuffle with the officer and the principal. Some of them scattered.  Police said 17-year old Michael Joseph broke the principal’s nose during the fight.  He was arrested for assault.

Staff locked down the school and police searched for an hour, but couldn’t find the other teens.

Police said they didn’t know for sure why the men came to campus.

“Maybe they were looking for somebody to do them harm.”

Police said the young men may have been affiliated with a gang, but weren’t sure.  The teenager they arrested posted bond and was released Thursday.

WSOC