A parent was arrested and charged with felony assault by strangulation and disorderly conduct after an incident at Fike High School in Wilson, officials reported on CBS17. The assailant, identified as 43-year-old Quinton Earl Lofton, is accused of bypassing the school office yesterday morning to confront and assault a student in the school's hallway.
The violent encounter, detailed by the principal of Fike High School, Dr. Ross Renfrow, indicated that Lofton was instructed to head to the office upon entering the building but instead chose to target a student, leading to an immediate response from staff members who diffused the situation and resulted in Lofton being banned from future access to the campus, Restoration News Media reported; the incident was said to be rooted in a matter that took place outside of the school environment which has yet to be elaborated upon.
In the wake of the attack a video in circulation has captured the distressing moment, where Lofton can be seen pushing the 17-year-old student to the ground, after which the student appears to have a seizure before recovering enough to walk away, the graphic nature of the footage spurring viral attention and concern, as stated in WRAL's coverage of the incident.
According to WRAL, the family of the assaulted teen is shaken, with the teenager's sister, Shaniqua, detailing her brother's trauma and ongoing efforts to stay positive amidst the aftermath of the attack, they are now pushing for accountability in regards to how Lofton managed to gain entry to the school and why the assault was not preempted by intervention.
Subsequent action has seen collaboration between Fike High School and the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office, leading to the arrest and pressing of charges against Lofton, according to school officials and law enforcement statements.
