Updated Information on Knife Incident at Smith-Cotton High School

On Monday, December 14 at 9:31 a.m., deputies from the Pettis County Sheriff’s Office responded to Smith-Cotton High School, 2010 Tiger Pride Blvd in Sedalia, on the report of a disturbance involving a student with a knife.

A School Resource Deputy assigned to the school arrived on the scene, finding school administrative staff and a school security officer struggling with 17-year-old Timmie T. Chapman, Jr. of Sedalia on the floor in the school’s front lobby. Chapman continued to resist during arrest and the deputy deployed his Taser in bringing Chapman under control. Other deputies arrived on scene shortly afterward and Chapman was transported to the Pettis County Jail pending the filing of formal charges in the incident.

A lock-blade knife was recovered at the scene, which is believed to have been used by Chapman during the incident. No injuries were reported and the school immediately instituted lockdown procedures to ensure safety of the student body. After Chapman was removed from the premises, the lockdown was lifted and the school resumed to normal schedule.

Late Monday afternoon, Pettis County Prosecuting Attorney Phillip Sawyer filed state charges of Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Resisting Arrest against Timmie Chapman.  He was being held pending the posting of bond in the case.

Press release from the Pettis County Sheriff's office.