Warrants for two teens charged Tuesday in a fight in the Evans High School parking lot say that one suspect pointed a loaded gun at a car with students inside.
Non-students David Peebles, 18, and his friend Stephon Townsend, 18, both of Augusta, were asked by security personnel to leave the campus, and they left. But they returned on foot after parking in the lot of Sanctuary Circle. Peebles was involved in a fight with a student while in the school’s parking lot.
Townsend of Augusta was found with a loaded Glock 19 handgun with a 15-round magazine. He allegedly pointed the weapon at a white Toyota with juveniles inside as the students were leaving the school parking lot, a warrant says.
“Incident was witnessed by several other students that were in the parking lot,” a warrant says.
The two victims who had the gun pointed them are listed as a Evans football player and a girl’s basketball player, according to online records.
In a letter to parents, Principal Wade White said that the incident happened during dismissal Tuesday afternoon. The school’s parking lot monitor alerted school police after the suspects refused to comply with commands to leave campus. Before exiting the parking lot, the suspects initiated a physical altercation, White said.
“After an attempt to flee, they were stopped in a neighboring parking lot and detained,” the principal said. “The suspects are facing a variety of felony and misdemeanor charges by Columbia County School District Police.”
While the principal claimed “there were no verbal threats,” he did not tell parents that a gun was pointed at students.
“Safety of students and staff is a top priority, and thanks to the diligent efforts of the School Resource Officer and parking lot monitor, we were able to quickly apprehend the suspects in cooperation with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office,” White said.
Townsend was charged with pointing or aiming at gun at another person, criminal trespass and weapon on school property. He was being held Wednesday afternoon at the Columbia County Detention Center under a $10,300 bond. Peebles was charged with trespassing and affray, and he was later released on bond.
Peebles has a previous arrest from Sept. 30 for racing on the highway and speeding. Townsend does not have a previous record.
Authorities say both of the suspects are roommates who live on Walton Way Extension in Augusta.
