In taking students out to the football field so the cafeteria could be decontaminated after pepper spray was used to subdue the alleged assailant, Northampton County Sheriff Jack Smith said pockets of smaller fights broke out.

“We are still investigating,” Smith said this morning. “We are trying to interview students. There were numerous people involved.”

The fight started in the cafeteria of the school, which is located in Creeksville outside Conway, around lunch time when two students got into a disagreement, Smith said. The nature of the argument remains unknown.

The verbal dispute led to 17-year-old Demonta Johnson of Jackson allegedly punching the 14-year-old victim in the face. As the school's resource officer tried to pull Johnson away, Johnson reportedly continued beating the victim, causing him to bleed profusely, the sheriff said. The resource officer deployed pepper spray to get Johnson off the victim to stop the continued beating. “The young man was being injured with numerous blows to the face,” Smith said.

The 14-year-old was taken to an area hospital. The sheriff described his injuries as serious but not life-threatening. “He had pretty severe injuries. He took a good pounding.”

Because of the pepper spray use, a decision was made to evacuate the students outside. “While out there, there were several other pockets of fighting.”

Law enforcement from Murfreesboro, Jackson, Rich Square and Hertford County were brought in to maintain control, Smith said, and school was let out earlier than usual.

Johnson was charged with assault with injuries and resisting arrest. He received a $1,000 bond. “We are expecting other charges to be filed against those we can identify with fighting or disorderly conduct,” Smith said. “It is an ongoing investigation. Hopefully we can find out what may have caused it.”

Smith said most students refrained from getting involved in the fight by either refusing to circle in to watch or encouraging the assault. “What I want kids to take from this is there were some students who weren't listening to the adults and officers. A great deal did the right thing and I want to commend those who did the right thing and listened to their bus drivers, parents, teachers and students.”

The sheriff's office was monitoring the school today with extra personnel. “We want parents to know we are ensuring their children are safe and are working closely with principals, teachers and the central office,” Smith said.