School fights often end as quickly as they begin — an unfriendly round of fisticuffs, separated students and sometimes a reconciliation. But for one North Carolina family, a fight over a vape pen cost their teenage son his life. Now, with authorities reportedly refusing to file charges, the family is demanding the justice they say officials won’t provide.
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The fatal incident started with a fight between 16-year-old Cameron Graham and an unnamed 18-year-old student at North Forsyth High School in Winston-Salem, local news channel Fox 8 reported. A school resource officer told police “he needed all hands on deck” on Dec. 9 after Graham and the 18-year-old, who knew each other well, started fighting in a bathroom over a THC pen.
Graham allegedly brandished a three-inch knife, according to the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office.
As the two students fought, the older teen is accused of “accidentally” stabbing Graham in the chest as he allegedly tried to wrestle the knife from him. The 18-year-old suffered defensive wounds to his hands, and according to District Attorney Jim O’Neill, “upon seeing that his friend was stabbed and on the ground, tried to render aid. Tried to pack the wound and keep pressure on it.” O’Neill also claimed the 18-year-old “cried and cried” when he learned Graham succumbed to his injuries.
“These two young men rode the school bus together and had a conversation that morning. They were friends, which makes this even more of a tragedy,” O’Neill said, per local news station WFMY 2.
Because of witness testimony and “not a shred of evidence to suggest that this was anything more than an accident,” no charges will be filed against the surviving teenager. “No probable cause whatsoever to charge the student with assault, homicide, or manslaughter,” O’Neill said. “At the end of the day, this is a terrible accident.”
At a press conference, O’Neill added, “We have no enemy to punish here. We have no friend to reward.” But Graham’s aunt, Charlita Summers, told local station WXII 2 that her family would be “seeking legal counsel” following the Sheriff’s decision.
“We have lost two family members tragically, one shot ten times in the back, and now a fatal stabbing, and have received no justice,” Summers said. “We are asking that any legal entities that are willing to help look further into these investigations will come forward to help the family at this time.”
Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough described how Graham’s grandmother asked how the surviving teen was faring and offered to pray with him and his family.
“At her lowest moment, she wanted to pray for him,” Sheriff Kimbrough said, per the outlet. “That’s the love that’s missing from this community.”
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