Man facing battery charges after gaining access to Westside High School

BONO, Ark. (KAIT) – A man accused of attacking three employees at Westside High School now faces battery charges.

Craighead County District Judge David Boling found probable cause Monday, Nov. 21, to charge 53-year-old David Edward McFall of Bono with three counts of second-degree battery.

According to court documents, McFall could be heard on a recording saying he had gone to the school on Friday, Nov. 18, “to talk with an employee and that he did not check in at the office because he wanted to speak with the employee, not the office.”

McFall reportedly said one of the school’s coaches stood up and “he felt the need to defend himself at that time and swung on the coach.”

Following that, McFall told sheriff’s investigators that “others jumped in, and he felt the need to defend himself.”

Investigators told Region 8 News that three of the staff members were injured during the incident.

Superintendent Scott Gauntt said the employees suffered minor injuries that “were just scratches.”

He added that the district is investigating what happened and will review the school’s security plan.

No students were in the area and never in danger, according to Gaunt.

While Gauntt said he was unsure how McFall got into the facility, McFall told Region 8 News Anchor and Chief Investigative Reporter Chris Carter that he simply went in through an unlocked door.

“They know how I got in. I just walked right up to the front door and walked in. It ain’t like I searched every door to get in. The first door I came to, I walked right in,” McFall said.

McFall said he wanted to talk to a staff member, but he would not explain why.

He also would not say if he would plead guilty or not to the charges, adding that he is getting an attorney but did not say who would represent him.

After finding probable cause to charge him, Boling set McFall’s bond at $5,000 and ordered him to wear an ankle monitor.

McFall is scheduled to appear in circuit court on Dec. 28.

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