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ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. - Rockdale County Sheriff Eric Levett said the March 2 Salem High School fight, reportedly incited for a social media post, is disturbing for several reasons. Sheriff Levett said Ayana Bryant's alleged actions are most the most troubling.
"Overall, how it all started, what you see her doing, it all appears to be a set up. She gets punched from behind. She didn't deserve that," Sheriff Levett said.
Rockdale County School resource officers charged 18-year-old Bryant with simple battery. She was released on bond two days after a video appeared to show her hitting a student with no provocation, pulling her out of her seat and assaulting her on the ground.
“This fight lasted way too long. I'm disappointed to see that there weren't more boys stepping up to break up the fight--it was only the girls who tried to stop this fight at first," Levett said.
The sheriff was also disappointed to count at least four students trying to record the fight on their cell phone. Rockdale School officials said they have no tolerance for fighting or recording fights on school grounds. Investigators said, Bryant told students to "get their cameras ready" just before she allegedly threw the first punch.
"We as adults need to have some serious conversations about what our kids do and what they're doing with their phones. These kids think they are just recording video for social media, but they really celebrating and glorifying violence,” Levett said.
"I'm hard core on crime so I have to follow up on these charges. I hate to see a young lady's life ruined, but these young people need to make better decisions or we'll have to make them for you," Levett said.
FOX 5's Portia Bruner went to the Bryant family home Thursday, but the woman who came to the door declined to comment about the incident.
Bryant's first court appearance is scheduled for March 16.