1 sentenced to probation in AHS fight
Published 10:30 am Friday, March 18, 2016
One of the adults charged after a large fight at Austin High School on Sept. 28, 2015, will serve at least five years of probation.
Odell Dorrea McCullough, 27, was sentenced to five years supervised probation for one count of felony second-degree riot with a dangerous weapon. He would serve about year in prison if he violates the terms of his probation.
He had an additional charge of felony second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, but that was dismissed when he took a plea agreement on Dec. 18, 2015.
The fight broke out around 3:15 p.m. on Sept. 28, 2015, outside the high school doors and continued in the gym lobby, according to court records.
The “large-scale fight” included dozens of people brawling in the street outside the high school and repeated acts of violence, while onlookers took video and encouraged the participants to fight, according to court documents.
Also charged in the fight were Angel Alicia McCullough and Willie J.M. Brunt, who were both charged with felony second-degree rioting with a dangerous weapon and misdemeanor assault with a dangerous weapon.
An investigation found the fight may have stemmed from a prior fight between high school girls, which resulted in the adults gathering and the eventual “riot.”
The adults charged were related to or friends of one of the high school students involved, and several others showed up to fight for other students.
Brunt is Angel’s boyfriend, and the McCulloughs are brother and sister, according to court records.
AHS’s liaison officer patrolling the south side of the school heard and saw the fight break out. He reportedly saw a female dragging two students by the hair and grabbed her and held her against the lobby door, but he was then struck on the head by an unknown subject.
The officer observed two people injured — one unresponsive and bleeding from the head, and a second dazed on his knees.
That’s when the officer heard students scream, “He has a gun,” according to court records. Students pointed at Odell, who was seen with a black shiny object as he ran from officers to the north. Officers apprehended Odell at gunpoint; he was initially non-compliant before surrendering.
Additional officers arrived at the scene and found the nunchucks. Odell admitted he had possessed the nunchucks, which Angel said he always carries, according to the complaint. No gun was ever found.
Odell was caught on video striking people with nunchuks, while Angel was shown dragging a female student by the hair and punching her, and Brunt was seen punching several students, according to the complaint.
Angel admitted they went to the school because their acquaintance was having issues with other students, and she claimed the fight started when a group of girls started fighting her acquaintance. However, officers stated that video showed Angel confronting a student.
Angel reportedly admitted she pulled a girl’s hair, but only after she was hit.
Brunt is next due in court April 15.