Man arrested for attempted kidnapping at S.C. school after breaking classroom window

CHESTER, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A 20-year-old man is in custody at the Chester County Detention Center after investigators say he broke a school window with his head, entered a classroom, and grabbed a child.

“In my 30 years of law enforcement, I could have never imagined something like this would be happening on Halloween in our wonderful town in a secure facility,” said Chester County Sheriff Max Dorsey. 

The Chester Park School Complex was placed on lockdown Friday afternoon, according to the Chester County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Dorsey says the suspect, identified as D’arrius Tyrese Edwards, crashed a car into trees near the school. He then made his way to the playground area.

“They made entry through a glass window using their head, and they entered and with busted glass a classroom, and they took a young child, exited that window, and were engaged by law enforcement there in the playground,” Dorsey briefed.

Officials say the school’s windows are standard, double-pane windows. Leaders assured the school was as secure as possible.

“Once they entered the classroom, there were three adult teachers in the classroom and they engaged with the individual. One of the teachers actually fought with that person, but that person was able to leave the room, entered the playground area, which is still a confined space,” Dorsey said. 

The suspect was tased and taken into custody, and the child was checked for injuries.

The sheriff’s office says the student is in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.

School officials say that after any major school event, they debrief afterwards to address any concerns.

“With our debrief and with everything, you always look at new modern techniques. But right now, I’m just so proud of my teachers, of my paraprofessionals, of my students, of the community that has come forward. And I honestly couldn’t have changed anything that they did. I’m just really, really proud of them today,” said Chester County school district interim superintendent Tammy Snipes. 

Sheriff Dorsey declined to comment on whether mental health issues played a part in the incident, saying it was still too early to tell.

He confirmed there was a domestic element, and it expanded to the school, but Dorsey wasn’t ready to determine motive. 

The sheriff said that Edwards did not know the child or anyone in the classroom.

Edwards was charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, burglar second-degree violent, and kidnapping.