GASTON – Two additional students here at Northampton County High School have been charged in an Oct. 24 brawl that involved nearly 40 students.

Northampton County Sheriff Jack Smith said earlier this week that the total number of students facing charges now stands at 14.

The latest arrests involved two students (ages 16-17) who will be charged as adults. They are Trevathan Shearin and Aveeyon Vick, both were charged with felony inciting a riot and received $7,000 secured bonds.

Sheriff Smith said the recent arrests came after the school’s resource officer was able to go back and review the school surveillance recording and identify others involved in the fight.

One day after the fight, the Sheriff’s office charged Patrick Ransome, Karice Ransome, Malani Hill, Stepheson Ashe, Denzel Ashe, Raddre Britt and Tarek Deloatch with felony inciting a riot, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct. All were held under a $7,000 bond.

Ashe was served additional outstanding warrants for two counts of communicating threats and received an additional $1,000 secured bond.

Another student, Dre’Quan Taylor, was charged with disorderly conduct and given a $500 bond.

Four juveniles were also involved in the fight. They were each issued juvenile petitions for charges of felony inciting a riot, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct and were released to the custody of their parents.

One day following their arrests, Stepheon Ashe, Denzel Ashe, and Patrick Ransome were all arrested again after returning to school while on suspension. All were charged with second degree trespassing and each received $200 secured bonds. Patrick Ransome was also charged with simple possession of marijuana and received an additional $300 secured bond.

On the day of the fight, Sheriff Smith said the school resource officer and school staff stepped in to stop and prevent the fight, but it quickly escalated into a large group brawl that spawned numerous separate fights within the cafeteria and throughout the school building.

Numerous officers from the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office, Roanoke Rapids Police Department, Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, Gaston Police Department, Garysburg Police Department, Jackson Police Department, and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to assist in the de-escalation of the school fight. Officers were able to gain control of the situation and numerous arrests were made.

EMS units from Gaston and the county responded to the scene to treat injuries, but the sheriff said there were no serious injuries.

“Our overall objective is to keep the school safe along with staff and students,” Sheriff Smith said. “Our number one goal is to protect the school, staff, and student property and to assure that all students get to school, are safe while in school, and get home safe after school. The Northampton County Sheriff’s Office stands side by side with the Northampton County School system and the Superintendent in promoting school safety and preventing violence.

“I would like to thank all the agencies that responded and assisted with this incident. I encourage parents and students to talk to one another to try to prevent future problems at school. NCHS also has a school resource officer and counselor that students are encouraged to talk to if they know of the potential for violent conflict,” Smith concluded.