ROCKINGHAM – Detective David Wall of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Department Criminal Investigations Division (Major Crimes Unit) reported the arrests of two teenagers regarding a shooting that occurred over the weekend, which spilled over concern and elevated security at Richmond Senior High School Tuesday.
As a result of the incident, Richmond County Schools’ public information officer Briana Goins confirmed with the Richmond Observer that, “after being notified of an incident that occurred over the weekend, the RSHS administrative team and the district office administrative team met Monday to put measures in place to ensure the safety of all students and staff at the school.”
This led to what Goins stated as having, “Sheriff (James) Clemmons graciously sending additional deputies to the school (Tuesday).”
In her email, Goins also noted that RSHS head principal Jim Butler reported having a “normal school day” and nothing stemming from the weekend incident occurred.
The shooting incident allegedly stirred up concerns with parents and students when a social media post seemed to threaten possible retaliation. The post’s message appeared to suggest that a gun would be brought to school.
But as confirmed by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Department, no subsequent incidents occurred.
According to Wall, deputies responded to a call from the FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital – Richmond County campus emergency room at 9:57 p.m. on Saturday, January 13. Reference was made to a report of a gunshot victim being received at the hospital.
A related report was received from Carolina’s Finest Motorcycle Club at 897 U.S. 1 North in Rockingham in regard to the same shooting incident.
Following an apparent altercation, one victim was struck in the left torso and transported to FirstHealth Richmond County campus where he was treated for a single gunshot wound and then since released.
The Richmond Observer has confirmed with sources that the gunshot victim is a student who attends RSHS and is a member of the football team.
“It was determined that an argument and subsequent assault had escalated into gunfire in which multiple individuals were fired upon,” said Wall.
Two teenagers were charged in the incident. Kenyada Rakel Spencer, 17, of Ellerbe, was arrested on Sunday, January 14, and charged with one count of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. Spencer was transported to the Richmond County Jail.
Also arrested for the shooting was Kelvon K’Son Kileak Dumas, 16, also of Ellerbe. He, too, was arrested on January 14, and charged with one count of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury. Dumas was transported to the Richmond County Jail.
Both were being held under a $75,000 secured bond. Spencer has since posted bond, but Dumas remains in Richmond County Jail.
Wall confirmed that Dumas’ bullet was the one that hit the victim.
It is also being reported that there are no lingering threats at RSHS regarding this situation, and no update was available from RCS Wednesday.
“The parents of all the students whose names were in any way linked to the weekend incident were called and asked to keep their children at home until everything could be fully investigated and figured out,” Goins’ email stated. “It is our (RCS) belief that appropriate measures have been taken with everyone involved.”
Richmond’s head football coach Bryan Till was asked to comment on the situation involving one of the school’s players.
“All young people need to pay attention to where they hang out and who is around,” Till wrote in a text message. “We all need to take the overall gift of life more seriously than we do the little things that happen while we’re living it.
“I’m just glad everyone is still with us,” Till’s message continued. “I hope everyone in our community will make a concerted effort to pour positive energy into our kids and give them good examples of how to act moving forward.”
Additional charges and arrests are pending as the investigation of the shooting incident continues. The Richmond County Sheriff’s Department asks that anyone with any information related to this incident report such directly to Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Detective David Wall at 910-410 -1125 or to the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 910-997-5454.
Any suspect facing criminal charges is innocent until proven guilty in the court of law.
Managing editor Kyle Pillar contributed to this story.
