Have you noticed an unusual smell or flavor in your tap water over the past few days?

What's wrong with Raleigh tap water? Algae bloom at Falls Lake behind the smell, color

'Earthy and musty:' Here's why your tap water may taste strange this weekend in Raleigh

Athens Drive Magnet High School and Conn Magnet Elementary School won national awards Saturday at the Magnet Schools of America's annual conference.

Top two magnet schools in the US are in Wake County

Athens Drive High School

A Lenoir County sheriff's deputy was assaulted while breaking up a fight between two students on a school bus.

KINSTON, N.C. — Editor's note: The image in this story is graphic and may be disturbing to some viewers.

A Lenoir County sheriff's deputy received 18 staples in his head after breaking up a fight Wednesday morning between two students on a school bus.

A 12-year-old and a 16-year-old were charged with felony assault on a law enforcement officer inflicting serious injury, resisting arrest and damage to county property, <a href="https://www.wral.com/video/nc-deputy-injured-breaking-up-fight-between-students-live-update-from-lenoir-county-sheriffs-office/21353288/">the sheriff said in a press conference Friday</a>. The students were not injured, the sheriff's office said.

The Lenoir County Sheriff's Office is holding a press conference after a deputy received 18 staples from breaking up a fight between students on a bus Wednesday. 

You need to be right here, sir. It's my seat. My coffee cup is not a picture of it probably has NC state on it, I'm sure. Right. So were you, um, were you, are you going to get up here, Michelle? Ok. We got everybody ready. Yeah, yeah, you guys will be tight. I'm gonna get out of the frame as soon as I. Ok. I'm Brian Hanks. I'm the public information officer for Lenoir County. Uh, we appreciate the media coming out here today for this press conference. Uh, I have with me, uh, Sheriff Jackie Rogers and Deputy Christopher Little. They're gonna be, uh, talking about the incident that happened on Wednesday just, uh, I can't even believe it's just a little bit over 48 hours ago. So, uh, first I'm gonna introduce, uh, sheriff Jackie Rogers. Thank you for coming. I'm Jackie Rogers, the sheriff of Lenoir County. Um, on Wednesday about 8:30 a.m. we had an incident of the, uh, Lenoir County Learning Academy where, um, they had a fight on a school bus. Um, deputy little tried to intervene. Um, he was assaulted and sustained about 18 staples to the back of his head. Um, Deputy Little has been with the sheriff's office for about two years. Um, he's a great deputy. He just recently got promoted. Um, he's in charge of our recruiting and our governors. I would set the program. Um, I'll take any questions if you have any questions at this point for me and then I'll introduce Deputy Little. Can you talk about the charges that the students received and how you got to them? Um, the charges were we consulted with the District Attorney's office and, um, they, they were both charged with assault, inflicting serious injury on a law enforcement officer, um, resisting arrest and damage to county property. Um, and that's basically how we got there. Can you describe some of that damage? Um, it was damage to the uniform. Um, he had, they had to cut the uniform and stuff off. That was the only damage to the county property and this has been a teacher, bus driver or another student trying to break up the fire. Are you guys implementing new policies and incidents like this? The learning academy is, um, they hired deputies off duty, they're off duty. They don't have a, a full time SRO they have off duty deputies that work different days. Um, the deputy was on the scene at the time he was there. The Children are not allowed to get off the bus until the deputy is standing outside the bus. So the deputy was outside the bus, the fight occurred. Deputy little ran on the bus and tried to intervene and that's when he was assaulted. Um, what the age is it? These weapons, uh, no weapons were involved. The ages of the juveniles were 12 and 16. And so it was just like fists hands. Yes, ma'am. And last question, are you going to do anything different? Going forward? Um, we're looking at trying to, uh, do some different stuff on the school buses and things like that, but basically it was a, um, it was a single incident. We hadn't had a problem like that this year or in the past because early training gets involved with, you know, to do this for the schools. Um, we have not spoken with the school systems about that. Um, but we will be in conversation about things like that. I see a Facebook comment about, um, this specific school has kids that struggle with special needs or mentally and emotionally for these students in any special program. Um, I'll let Deputy Little. Deputy Little has got a, um, he, he works there quite a bit and I'll let him discuss that. I think he wants to discuss things like that. Um, this is Deputy Chris Little. Um, hi, I'm, uh, Chris Low. I'm a deputy with the Lenoir County Sheriff's office. Um, I don't know how you guys would like me to begin on this. Do you wanna start by maybe just walking through the, that day if that's ok with you. Oh, that's completely fine, man. Um So at about 830 that morning while we were getting kids off of our first school bus at the uh learning academy. Um when I observed a fight starting on the bus, uh I answered the bus, uh yelled at them to uh break it up, try to break up the fight at which time neither of the uh students while I listen, due to the, uh, punches and kicks being thrown. Uh, at that point, I went ahead and grabbed both of the kids and tried to put them into a seat. Um One of the, uh juveniles was able to kick off the side of the bus and threw us all back onto the, uh, other side, um, where I, uh received a laceration to the back of my head. Um The fight still continued. We had a, uh another student or one of the original two students jump on top, um, and begin punching both the, uh other juvenile involved in myself. Uh I got up was able to get between them. Uh I believe I had to break up this fight about 34 times, uh, before it was all set and done. Um That's essentially the, uh fight itself. It was a pretty, um, I would say probably 34 minutes we had on scene. And so you said you guys were kind of going from left to right from one side of the bus to the other. So did you hit your head on like the back of the bus or was it like where you hit? So when I had the uh student trying to, uh, keep them in the seat, the student was able to use their legs and kick off the one side of the bus. It sent all three of us flying to the other side. Um, I was on bottom because I had uh hold on both of the students and my head went into the window, uh the meadow window frame. Um And that's how the uh injury was a man. According to the press release, we saw that neither of the Children sustained injuries. How do you feel knowing that you did your job and were able to break up the fight without causing them injury? So, working at the Learning Academy, um we have a lot of great students at the Learning Academy. We have a lot of students that are in there for different reasons, but we always want to try to break up uh altercations and deal with issues. Uh, a as kindly as we can. Um No punches were thrown by myself or any other deputies. Uh We try to use uh restraining tactics and to break up these fights because at the end of the day, we have a lot of students in there for um different reasons. Um I'm happy that I was the only one to sustain injuries and that none of my students sustained any injuries during this incident. Um And uh still planning on working, I learned academy a lot. I, I love my kids over there and will continue to work there. Yeah, I was just uh I got, and I want to come back to work. So while I was in the hospital, uh I was getting texts from teachers at the school and uh I, I have a really good relationship with a lot of our kids there and the school was, uh, very upset. So I, uh, went back to the, uh, school and, um, I ended up spending about 30 minutes there and the reception there is just great. Well, it's like any of our other, uh, public schools in the North County, um, got torn by students immediately. Staff, it's all there. Uh, and I think that goes to show the impact that having the Sheriff's office at the Learning Academy, uh, does, I mean, it's, it's an incredible opportunity to reach out and, um, get to know our youth and b and to, uh, build really lasting bonds and, uh, establish trust between law enforcement and this generation. Coming up. When I talked to Sheriff Rogers yesterday, he said that the kids warmed you and were hugging on you. Can you tell me a little bit about what the kids were saying to you? Um, so a lot of them want to know exactly who did it. Um, but a lot of them were happy to see me up on my feet. Um, back at the school, they were asking when I was going to be coming back to the school. Um, the, uh, the staff and the kids there are uh amazing. They worked extremely, extremely hard to help these kids who are often in more difficult situations than in, than a lot of our other students in the school system. So I have a lot of respect for the staff that works there was happy with. And I know, I know, I, I let the, she's, uh, uh, of that I need to go to the hospital. And, uh, so that would be a question I believe for Sheriff Rogers when he comes back up there in the, what's something that you would like to see? Uh, so I'm going to leave that up to the uh criminal justice system. Um, at this point, um, there does have to be accountability for actions. That is something that does have to be taught through this generation. Um, while we try to go in and we try to, uh, while we try to, so these issues, um, as low impact as possible when they're not listening and it does get to this point. Um, there does have to be some repercussions for actions. Otherwise this behavior is going to continue into adulthood and continue to be an issue. Um The entire idea of learning academy is to help these students, one graduate, but two emotionally grow and be able to uh move forward in life just gonna go back one step while it was happening to you. You were, you know, in it. How did you feel? Did you, were you scared? And how do you feel now going back into the school? Uh So I can't really say that I was uh scared during the incident. Um I kept moving through uh and um was able to get it, uh was able to get it uh separated. Um I was glad when other deputy stepped on the bus. Um but uh going back to the school, uh I'm excited to go back to school. Um Like I said, I, this is something that we volunteer for on a part time basis at the uh learning academy. Um But they have several like myself who come on a pretty consistent basis, uh who are able to form these relationships with the kids and form kind of these mentorship roles. And I'm excited to get back into the learning academy. And how long have you been with the school? And um how long have you? I believe I've been working there about a year and a half all through last year and um through this year, I believe we're at right about the halfway point and real quick. Um Can you let us know I'd like that you have a compassion for them. You mentioned some of them have challenges. What are some of those difficulties and challenges you're speaking of? So, we have some emotional uh some emotional disabilities that are uh in the school. We have uh some ec kids. It's really a variety of different issues within the school. We also have a lot of kids who have been involved in fights and um brought weapons to school and this is the school that we go to uh give them a second chance, um, to try to have more of that mentorship role and a little bit closer supervision. Uh, yes, there is. Um, once I go through the program, the school really has a better answer on how that process works. But yes. Ok. Think you got any more questions. Uh, sheriff, did you want to address the, uh, the, uh, the 16 year old is still in custody? Uh, he went to a secure custody, uh, facility. Uh, the 12 year old was released to the mother that same day and you guys have spoken to both of the parents. Yes. Well, we, we have not, the deputies that charge them has spoken to the parents and they're aware of everything I heard. Um, we will this up to the judicial system. Um, they'll go, they'll have a court date and they'll go to court and that's, that's their decision to make. Ok, thank you guys so very much. Thank you. Can, we also get a shot at the back of your head? I don't know how to ask that. That's a great, that's a great question. Do you mind? Do you mind it? Yes. No, this is worse. Looking at the cameras. It's much prettier. Are we good? Thank you guys so much. Thank you. You're PJ. Thank you. Yes, sir. Thank you. Thank you so much. Great job. Great job. Yes, that was great.

NC deputy injured breaking up fight between students: Live update from Lenoir County Sheriff's Office

Around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, deputies responded to a call about a deputy needing help with a fight at the Lenoir County Learning Academy. Deputy Christopher Little stepped in to breakup the fight on the bus and was assaulted, according to the sheriff's office.

Little was taken to UNC Health Lenoir and had to get 18 staples in the head to close a wound, the sheriff's office said.

(Viewer discretion advised) Lenoir County deputy gets 18 staples from breaking up fight between students

<a href="https://www.wral.com/video/nc-deputy-injured-breaking-up-fight-between-students-live-update-from-lenoir-county-sheriffs-office/21353288/">Little said in a press conference Friday</a> that he had to break up the fight three or four times before it ended. He said he's happy none of the students were injured.

"I love my kids over there and will continue to work there," he said. "The staff and the kids there are amazing. They work extremely, extremely hard to help these kids who are often in more difficult situations than other kids in the school system."

Although he's grateful no students were hurt, Little said it's important that they learn there are consequences for their actions.

"There does have to be some repercussions for actions," Little said. "Otherwise, this behavior is going to continue into adulthood and continue to be an issue."

Mark Bergin

Lenoir County deputy who got 18 staples from breaking up fight will continue to work at school

Deputy Christopher Little

Multiple people were shot in Red Springs on Friday near the intersection of Pearsall Road and Children's Road.

Shooting in Red Springs leaves multiple injured, including 6-month-old 

The Salisbury Police Department has canceled an Amber Alert for 2 missing children Friday night.

Salisbury Amber Alert canceled for 2 missing children

Missing 

A dump truck hit a metal structure and sign over Interstate 440 in Raleigh on Friday, closing both directions of the highway for a surprisingly short period of time. 



Dump truck hit sign over I-440 in Raleigh, slowing traffic for close to 1 hour

Damaged sign over I-440 blocks traffic in Raleigh

Authorities are investigating a serious crash near Raleigh-Durham International Airport Thursday that left two people injured.  

Two seriously injured in Lumley Rd and Commerce Blvd crash 

Before she was called to the NASA Astronaut Corps, Christina Koch was a kid in Jacksonville, North Carolina, who went on to attend North Carolina School of Science and Math in Durham.

Christina Koch holds home state dear; hopes to inspire future explorers

Christina Koch

WRAL-TV News Broadcasts: Watch each newscast live or watch the most recent newscast on demand.

WRAL Late News 

WRAL Noon News

Get the latest WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast whenever you need it, including the DUALDoppler5000 and the 7-Day Forecast.

WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast

Nightly N.C. Education Lottery drawings during the 11 p.m. News.

Evening Pick 3 Pick 4 and Cash 5

Tuesday and Friday Mega Millions Drawing.

Mega Millions Drawing

Daytime Pick 3 and Pick 4 drawings are held at 3 p.m. daily. They can be seen as live or on-demand video.

Daytime Pick 3 and Pick 4 Drawing

Videos

The Panthers got their guy, only it was a bit earlier than expected. What the Xavier Legette means for the Carolina offense, plus what to expect on day two and beyond.

Panthers make a splash on Day 2 of NFL Draft, wheel-and-deal to draft RB Brooks

Draft_Cowboys_Preview_Football_54757

Coming off a momentous win in Game 2, the Carolina Hurricanes hit the road for Game 3 of the first-round playoff series against the New York Islanders on Thursday night at UBS Arena.

Canes defensemen, Andersen deliver without Pesce, Carolina beats Islanders 3-2, take 3-0 series lead 

Hurricanes_Islanders_Hockey_35851

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Joey Ortiz hit a run-scoring single in the 11th inning and finished with a homer and four RBIs to lead the Milwaukee Brewers to a 7-6 win over the New York Yankees on Friday night.

Joey Ortiz homers, drives in 4 runs, including winner in the 11th inning, as Brewers top Yankees 7-6

Yankees_Brewers_Baseball_13595

After trading up to go get receiver Xavier Legette on Thursday night, the Panthers kept wheeling-and-dealing on Friday.

NFL Draft Day 2 Recap: Panthers make three trades, Payton Wilson to the Steelers

NFL_Draft_Football_93125

DETROIT (AP) — The NFL draft tour has not had a stop quite like the one in Detroit.

Lenoir County deputy who got 18 staples from breaking up fight will continue to work at school

More On This

Lenoir County deputy gets 18 staples after breaking up fight between students on bus