What ought to have been a heartwarming celebration of younger college students’ achievements was a scene of chaos and shame on Wednesday, when a kindergarten commencement ceremony at Faulk Elementary erupted right into a violent brawl between mother and father.Video footage from inside the college reveals a number of adults throwing punches in a crowded hallway as frightened kids scream and cry within the background. Some children might be heard pleading “cease,” whereas different mother and father scramble to defend their kids and take away them from the melee.What began as an argument shortly escalated, with each men and women caught within the fray. Two males initially appeared to try to interrupt up the struggle however quickly joined the chaos, throwing punches of their very own, in keeping with video obtained by WREG.‘Unacceptable behaviour’No accidents have been reported, and the reason for the struggle has not been publicly disclosed. Nonetheless, the spectacle has triggered widespread outrage amongst neighborhood members and officers alike.“It shouldn’t be occurring round kids — particularly,” mentioned one West Memphis resident. “These are grown of us at a children’ commencement. It shouldn’t be occurring in any respect. All of them have to be held accountable.”Superintendent Eric Foister of the West Memphis Faculty District didn’t maintain again his condemnation, calling the behaviour “unacceptable” and vowing penalties for these concerned.“We’ve our personal digital camera system with sound,” Foister mentioned. “We’ve gathered all that. Clearly, we’re a small neighborhood, so we’ve got the names.”Authorized motion & bansThe district has since recognized 5 adults concerned within the brawl and handed their names over to the West Memphis Police Division. Whereas no arrests have been made but, Foister mentioned authorized motion is imminent.“You come into our buildings and put the security and well-being of our college students and workers in jeopardy, I’m going to carry you to the fullest accountability,” he instructed Fox 13 Memphis. “I’m going to press any and all fees that I can.”Along with pursuing authorized penalties, the college has issued quick bans for the offending adults, proscribing them from getting into faculty property.“When you’re a dad or mum, the one entry you’ll have is to drop your little one off and choose them up. We’re not going to punish the kid for the mother and father’ actions,” Foister clarified.‘Zero tolerance’The West Memphis Faculty District reiterated its zero-tolerance coverage for violence and disruptions on faculty grounds in an announcement launched Thursday.“The security and safety of our college students, workers, and faculty campuses stay our prime precedence,” the assertion learn. “We’ve zero tolerance for any habits by mother and father, college students, workers, or guests that disrupts the training atmosphere or threatens the well-being of anybody on faculty grounds.”
