Fight shuts down Vance County basketball game, shots fired outside of school

Shots rang out outside Vance County High School Tuesday night.

It happened after a varsity basketball game against Louisburg Magnet High School was cut short due to a fight.

Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame said four men were cited and released for their involvement in the fight. He said they are planning to juvenile petitions for several others who are underage.

Tavares Branch was at the game supporting his son, who had played for the junior varsity team the same night.

“Right before the first quarter ended, I believe, that’s when I saw Louisburg High School team stands up and looks towards [Vance County High School],” he recalled. “I got my son, his mother. I told them, ‘come on, let’s go.’ I didn’t want to stand around and see what was going to unfold or whatever.”

On the other hand, Cyndel Wilson could not go to the game. Instead, she was at work, when she received a text message from her son, saying ‘SOS! 911!’

“I was at work freaking out, like ‘do I need to go get my kid?’” Wilson said.

No players were involved in the brawl. Multiple people told WRAL the athletes were removed from the gym quickly after the commotion started. Both Branch and Wilson commended the athletic staff for their swift actions.

“When you put your children in the hands of someone else, it’s always that thought of, ‘what if,’” Wilson said.

Right after dismissal, shots were fired outside the school. One vehicle was hit. No one was injured, according to Brame. He said it’s still not clear who was the target of the gunfire. Deputies are also investigating who was involved. At this time, he said it’s still under investigation if the fight and the shots fired calls are connected.

In a statement, Vance County superintendent Cindy Bennett said:

“We are very disappointed with the behavior of several students from another district school as well as some adults who were present for the game last night at VCHS. Actions and behaviors such as this will not be tolerated and VCS has already added another layer of security and limited access for spectators and other guests at our athletic events. This behavior is not representative of VCHS nor VCS. I stand firmly on a no tolerance of dangerous behavior in the athletic spaces or on our campuses at any time.”

At Wednesday night’s game against Bunn High School, only immediate family members were allowed to attend. WRAL asked if that rule is permanent and did not hear back from the district.

Branch said he understands the need for additional measures. He worries about how that rule will affect the game-time atmosphere.

“My thing is, the ones that you get for causing incidents like this, need to be more under a stiff punishment. You can't punish the kids that are out there on the court or on the field playing sports if they don't have anything to do with it,” Branch said.

WRAL also asked the district spokesperson for clarity on what the additional layers of security will be, which ‘other school district’ the superintendent was referring to, and if any Vance County students were facing disciplinary action through the school for their involvement.

The unfinished game is rescheduled for Monday, Dec. 11. Brame said his department has been providing additional security.