School awards ceremony ends with adults brawling in parking lot, NC sheriff says

An elementary school awards ceremony was marred in an unusual way when adults began brawling in the parking lot, according to investigators in eastern North Carolina.

Details of what started the fight have not been released.

“On June 4, at approximately 1:45 p.m., an altercation between two adults occurred in the parking lot of D.F. Walker Elementary School following the school’s awards ceremony,” the Chowan County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

“Deputies ... immediately and quickly brought the situation under control, removing the individual who instigated the disturbance from school property. ... We would like to thank the many parents, family members, and supporters who attended the ceremony and celebrated our students in a positive and respectful manner.”

The sheriff’s office did not identify the adults involved and did not report details of charges.

D. F. Walker Elementary, located in Edenton, reports 4th and 5th graders were being lauded for achievements at the ceremony. The school has about 380 students in grades 3 through 5, according to USNews.com.

“Today’s incident serves as a reminder of the importance of having an SRO (School Resource Officer) on campus and reinforces our commitment to maintaining a safe learning environment for all students, staff, and visitors,” the sheriff’s office said.

Edenton is about a 140-mile drive northeast from uptown Charlotte.

This story was originally published June 5, 2026 at 6:03 AM.