CLINTON, S.C. — The School District of Pickens County has confirmed that several student-athletes from D.W. Daniel High School face criminal charges following an incident at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) football camp. The event occurred on July 7 in a dormitory at Presbyterian College and was captured on video, which later circulated on social media.
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The video evidence, obtained by WIS, shows an assault that resulted in injuries to one student. The individuals involved, reported to be between the ages of 16 and 17, are now under investigation. Presbyterian College Campus Police were informed of the incident on July 7, initiating an investigation. The case has since been referred to the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice and the 8th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
According to Presbyterian College, the FCA organization rented the campus to host the camp. No students or staff from the college were involved in the incident.
Disciplinary Actions and Investigation of Students
The Board of Trustees of the School District of Pickens County released a statement confirming disciplinary steps are underway. These measures could include suspension, removal from the team, or possible expulsion. However, under federal privacy laws protecting minors, specific details about the actions taken are not being disclosed. The district assured the public that sanctions will be applied at both the school and athletic levels according to individual involvement.
The FCA organization also confirmed that all those involved were immediately sent home from the camp when FCA officials learned about the incident.
Legal Action on Behalf of the Victim
The Moorhead Lefevre Law Firm and the Kyle J. White Law Firm, representing the victim’s family, released a joint statement on Monday, reports Fox Carolina. It alleges that the student was assaulted by athletes from D.W. Daniel High School. The attorneys announced plans to investigate whether similar incidents have occurred in connection with either D.W. Daniel High School or Presbyterian College.
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Impact on the D.W. Daniel High School Football Program
Known for an impressive 11-2 record in the previous season, the D.W. Daniel High School football program is now under scrutiny. The school district is conducting a thorough investigation into the program’s policies and practices, with a review planned to consider multiple perspectives.
“We are addressing this matter with the seriousness it deserves,” said the school in a statement.
