Gaston County police say an 18-year-old from Kings Mountain is at the center of a sprawling vandalism case that left Bessemer City High School scorched, ransacked and cleaning up for days. Investigators arrested Michael Pruitt on Feb. 9, 2026, after staff earlier in the month discovered a break-in and a fire that heavily damaged the baseball press box and concession stand. School leaders also reported vandalism to football concessions, several school buses and administrative offices. Detectives say security video helped them zero in on two suspects, including a 17-year-old student who now faces a matching set of charges, as reported by WBTV.
Man faces more than 25 charges
According to WSOC-TV, Pruitt is staring down more than 25 charges. The list includes safe cracking, possession of stolen property, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, 10 counts of injury to personal property, two counts of injury to real property, misuse of a fire extinguisher, breaking and entering, burning of a school building, seven counts of breaking and entering to a motor vehicle and larceny after breaking and entering. Police told the station the 17-year-old is facing the same slate of allegations. WSOC-TV reports Pruitt is being held in the Gaston County Jail on a $25,000 bond.
Campus damage stretched across fields and buses
School officials laid out the damage to WBTV, saying the baseball field took the hardest hit from the fire. Two football concession stands were also vandalized. Multiple buses were targeted, including an activity bus that has been pulled from service for repairs, and several front-office areas were left, in the principal's words, "turned upside down." The district has started working with its insurer on repairs while the school's booster club ramps up fundraising to help cover costs.
Juvenile identified; name withheld
Gaston County police have identified a 17-year-old student as one of the people seen on school security footage, but the teen's name is not being released because of age, WCCB reported. Investigators say the video provided by school staff was a crucial lead and that the juvenile's charges will move through the Department of Juvenile Justice. Authorities say the investigation is still active as detectives chase additional leads.
Arrest follows review of video and evidence
Police moved in on Pruitt on Feb. 9 after detectives reviewed the security footage along with other evidence, WSOC-TV reports. Court records and formal filings were not yet available at the time of the report, and investigators say additional charges could be added as the case unfolds. The Gaston County Police Department says the investigation remains ongoing.
How to share tips with investigators
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective G. Lancaster with the Gaston County Police Department at 704-866-3320 or Gaston County Crime Stoppers at 704-861-8000, as noted by WBTV. Police thanked school staff for turning over their footage and are urging residents to review any home or business cameras for anything that might help. This story will be updated as court filings and official records become available.
