Student Charged After Trying to Light School Security Officer on Fire

The incident caused the school to be evacuated as police and firefighters responded.

A 16-year-old student accused of throwing gasoline on a high school security officer and trying to spark a lighter September 21 will be charged as an adult.

Imani Knight-Brantley of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, was charged with aggravated assault, risking a catastrophe, possession of a weapon on school property and recklessly endangering another person, according to wtae.

Court documents show that Knight-Brantley showed up at Wilkinsburg High School Monday despite having been suspended the previous Friday and asked to speak to security officer Brandon Murray to apologize for an earlier incident where she poured milk on him. She then pulled out a 2-liter Sprite bottle filled with gasoline and poured it on Murray and the high school’s security chief.

When other officers tackled her she grabbed a lighter from her pocket and tried to spark it. Knight-Brantley reportedly admitted trying to light Murray on fire at the police station.

The odor of the gasoline, which spilled even more when Knight-Brantley was tackled, forced administrators to evacuate the school for the day.

Knight-Brantley will receive a mental health evaluation at the Allegheny County Jail and her bond has been set at $100,000.

Although the school has not commented on the details of the incident Murray has indicated he will press charges.

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