Authorities investigating after elementary graduation breaks out into brawl as children scream for parents to stop
An Arkansas elementary school graduation day turned into a brawl between parents with the school having since spoken out and a police investigation underway.
On Wednesday (May 28), a fight broke out at Faulk Elementary school in West Memphis, Arkansas.
Video footage revealed the moment punches were thrown, with children heard screaming as they watched the chaos unfold. One clip even heared a kid wail, 'Stop'.
All adults initially identified as being involved in the fight were banned from the school, effective immediately.
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And five names were reportedly handed to West Memphis Police by the school, which added it would be fully cooperating with authorities on the incident.
What West Memphis School District has said
West Memphis School District said it was 'aware of the incident' and stated the 'safety and security' of its students, staff and school campuses remains its 'top priority'.
The statement continued, as quoted by WREG: "We have zero tolerance for any behavior by parents, students, staff, or visitors that disrupts the learning environment or threatens the well-being of anyone on school grounds."
It deemed the actions 'unacceptable' and said it's 'fully cooperating with the West Memphis Police Department and will actively support efforts to prosecute those responsible to the fullest extent of the law'.
"We are committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and secure environment at all of our schools," it resolved.
Indeed, superintendent of the West Memphis School District, Eric Foister, echoed there is a 'zero tolerance' policy for the behaviour displayed in the video and noted the school has its 'own camera system with sound' too.
Foister told Fox 13 Memphis: "We have our own camera system with sound. So we have gathered all that. Obviously, we are a small community, so we have the names.
"You come into our buildings and you put the safety and well-being of our students and staff in jeopardy, I’m going to hold you to the fullest accountability I am working with our local law enforcement, and I’m going to press any and all charges that I can
"I’m also going to ban you from our school property. The only way, if you’re a parent, you can have access to obviously dropping your kid off and picking your kid up."
The superintendent noted the school doesn't 'want to punish the child for the parents' action'.
The West Memphis School Board is reported as having called a special meeting on May 29. And local residents have also spoken out in condemnation.
What local residents have said
Eric Thompson said: "That they can do the same thing and it’s a bad influence and they are not handling themselves as an adult.”
Another unnamed resident said: "It shouldn’t be happening around children, especially, and these are grown folks at a kids’ graduation. It shouldn’t be happening at all.
"All of them need to be held accountable for it. Everybody who’s involved. That’s what I think about it."
What West Memphis Police Department has said
The West Memphis Police Department stated it is currently reviewing video footage of the incident. It will then discuss whether or not to pursue criminal charges against those involved.
UNILAD has contacted West Memphis School District and West Memphis Police Department for comment.
Topics: Crime, Education, Parenting, Police, US News, Arkansas
Poppy Bilderbeck