Deputies: Suspect crashed near school, broke into Chester County classroom

CHESTER, S.C. — A man is accused of crashing near a Chester County school and smashing into a window to grab a student.

D’arrius Tyrese Edwards drove a car near Chester Park School of the Arts, leading to a security incident, deputies said in a press conference Friday afternoon.

After the crash, Edwards fled the vehicle and entered the school playground, where he broke into a classroom window and grabbed a student. The school resource officer responded by deploying a taser to neutralize Edwards and secure the student.

Chester County Window After the crash, Edwards fled the vehicle and entered the school playground, where he broke into a classroom window and grabbed a student. (Chester County School District)

That area is off Lancaster Highway. It includes the Chester County School District building, Chester Middle School, and the Chester Park School of Inquiry.

Channel 9’s Tina Terry talked to a parent of a student.

“They just called and said they locked down the building, and I’m not gonna lie, it kinda made me mad,” Kristy Owens said.

ALSO READ >> Chester City officials receive threatening letters, SLED investigating

The incident occurred at Chester Park School of the Arts, part of the Chester Park Complex, which includes four schools. Edwards was quickly detained by additional SROs and sheriff’s deputies who arrived on the scene.

“In my 30 years I could never imagine something like this happening on Halloween in a secure facility,” Chester County Sheriff Max Dorsey said. That building is secure—everybody is where they were supposed to be behind a glass window a locked door in the classroom.”

The student involved in the incident was examined by EMS units and is currently stable with non-life-threatening injuries. Edwards was transported to the hospital for further examination.

Sheriff’s deputies conducted a thorough search of the Chester Park Complex and found no additional areas or persons of concern.

Edwards is facing several pending criminal charges, including assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, second-degree violent burglary, and kidnapping.

This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for more details.

VIDEO: Potential traffic and environmental concerns surround proposed Costco facility