College Addresses Viral Video of Juvenile Arrest

College of Charleston responds to social media footage of campus public safety officers detaining two teenagers.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:34pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a pair of metal handcuffs against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.The viral video of a campus arrest sparks concerns about the use of force by public safety officers, especially when dealing with minors.Charleston Today

The College of Charleston has released a statement regarding a viral social media video that shows public safety officers arresting two teenagers on the school's campus. According to the college, the incident occurred on April 8, 2026, when officers responded to a report of an attempted theft of an electric scooter. The college stated that surveillance cameras had observed two suspects and that one of the juveniles resisted arrest, leading to the events captured in the video.

Why it matters

The incident has sparked concerns on social media about the use of force by campus police, especially when dealing with minors. The college's response aims to provide context and transparency around the events depicted in the video.

The details

Upon responding to the reported theft, officers encountered a 13-year-old and a 16-year-old who initially evaded contact and refused to cooperate with the investigation. The school reported that one of the juveniles resisted arrest, which led to the events captured in the circulating video. The college stated that the officer used standard law enforcement tactics to safely place the resisting juvenile on the ground.

  • The incident occurred on April 8, 2026, at approximately 2 p.m.
  • The juveniles were taken into custody and transported to the Department of Public Safety headquarters on campus.

The players

College of Charleston

A public university located in Charleston, South Carolina.

College of Charleston Public Safety Officers

The campus police force responsible for maintaining order and safety on the College of Charleston campus.

13-year-old

One of the two juveniles involved in the incident.

16-year-old

The other juvenile involved in the incident.

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What they’re saying

“The College of Charleston would like to provide context regarding an incident circulating on social media involving two juveniles who were detained by our public safety officers.”

— College of Charleston

What’s next

The college maintains that the officers followed established procedures during the incident and is conducting a review of the footage to ensure appropriate actions were taken.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by campus police in balancing public safety and the use of force, especially when dealing with minors. The college's response aims to provide transparency and address concerns raised on social media.