A celebratory afternoon at D.F. Walker Elementary School in Edenton turned chaotic Thursday when adults began brawling in the school parking lot just after an awards ceremony, according to deputies.
The fight broke out as families were leaving the event. Deputies moved in quickly, broke up the altercation, and removed the person they said instigated the disturbance from school property. D.F. Walker serves roughly 380 students in grades 3 through 5.
What the sheriff's office said
According to The Charlotte Observer, the Chowan County Sheriff's Office said the altercation started at about 1:45 p.m. and that “deputies ... immediately and quickly brought the situation under control,” removing the individual who started the disturbance.
The sheriff's news release did not identify the adults involved or say whether any charges were filed.
About the school
Per the Edenton‑Chowan School District website, D.F. Walker is a Title I campus with an enrollment of about 380 students in grades 3–5. The site lists the school address as 125 Sandy Ridge Road in Edenton.
The district calendar shows end‑of‑year recognition events for Thursday, including an awards program for fourth‑ and fifth‑graders, which had just wrapped up when the parking lot dust‑up began.
SROs and school safety
The Chowan County Sheriff's Office operates a School Resource Officer program and reports that three deputy SROs are currently assigned to county schools. The office says SROs serve as role models on campus and aim to help prevent problems before they escalate.
The sheriff's office lists additional information about the SRO program and contact details on its website.
Investigations and next steps
The sheriff's news release, as reported by The Charlotte Observer, noted that “today’s incident serves as a reminder of the importance of having an SRO on campus,” while emphasizing that deputies had quickly secured the scene.
Officials did not identify the adults involved or provide details on any charges. No further records had been released as of Friday, and local authorities have not offered additional public comment beyond the written statement.
Parents and community members looking for more information can find contact details for D.F. Walker Elementary and the Edenton‑Chowan district on the district website, and the Chowan County Sheriff's Office lists its office address and phone number on its site.
