Bullock Co. Supt.: Fight was not gang related | News

UNION SPRINGS, AL (WSFA) -  A Bullock County school was placed on lockdown Thursday morning after six students got into a fight. Now, several students could be kicked out as a result of the brawl.

The fight erupted at South Highland Middle School, forcing school administrators to put the campus on lockdown for about 20 minutes.

It appears that the fight culminated from some sort of argument that started Wednesday in the community and spilled over into the school Thursday. Officials say they haven't figured out the exact reason at this time.

The fight occurred near the school's basketball court. No weapons were involved, but one student suffered a bloody nose. That child did not require medical attention.

Bullock County Schools Superintendent Keith Stewart called the situation a combination of a kid being bullied and gang wanna-bes. The 7th and 8th graders were all wearing matching black shirts underneath their school uniforms, so an investigation into whether the fight was part of any gang-related activity was initiated.

Superintendent Stewart found gang activity not to be the case. The students were wearing UnderArmor athletic undershirts and were all members of the junior high football team.

Stewart says his school does not have a gang problem, but admits there is a problem in Union Springs. It didn't take much of a drive to find what appears to be gang graffiti near downtown.

The fight puts a black eye on a school that's in the process of trying to become a blue ribbon school, a high honor handed down to public and private schools by the U.S. Department of Eduction every year.

Stewart says the designation is typically based on academic achievements and exceptional work by parents and educators and that this event will not be a roadblock.

Five of the six students involved in the fight have been suspended until further notice. The superintendent's office says parents are being cooperative in the investigation. It's not clear at this point if any criminal charges will be filed.

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