Top Forsyth County law officials say if a student assaults a teacher, punishment will be 'swift and severe'

Winston-Salem and Forsyth County’s top law enforcement officials held a joint press conference Thursday afternoon to make clear where they stand when it comes to students assaulting educators.

Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O’Neill, Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough and Winston-Salem Police Chief William Penn Jr. all participated in the briefing. The focus was on a Parkland High School student who has been charged multiple times in the last few months for alleged actions taken against teachers.

This week it was announced that the 17-year-old will be tried as an adult. Video that appears to show the student hitting a teacher went viral last month.

According to FOX8 WGHP, D.A. Jim O’Neil said at the briefing that he and the other officials stand with teachers. O’Neil also said, “If you lay a hand on a teacher and assault a teacher, you can expect that the punishment will be swift and severe. Promise made. Promise kept.”

An attorney for the student said the case was transferred to Superior Court after a grand jury indictment, and the next court date is expected to be May 28.