Charge Filed Against Security Officer Who Punched HCPSS Student In The Head: Police

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Michael Williams, the security assistant with the Howard County Public School System seen hitting a restrained teenager during an altercation at school, has been charged by the Howard County Police Department. He faces one count of second-degree assault.

The incident leading to the charge occurred Dec. 2 at Howard High School, when a 17-year-old boy began assaulting other students in the school cafeteria. Williams physically engaged the student to stop the attacks, police reported.

The student was charged as a juvenile in December for the assaults against other students, according to police.

After a detailed police investigation and review by the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office, prosecutors determined Williams’ actions warranted a criminal charge, officials said. He was charged Tuesday, Feb. 1, and served a summons on Wednesday, Feb. 2. He is slated to appear March 30 in Howard County District Court on the second-degree assault charge, court records show.

Other adults involved in the incident, including a school administrator and school resource officer, also were investigated and will not be charged criminally, officials said.

The Howard County NAACP, Council of Elders of the Black Community of Howard County and African American Community Roundtable called for an investigation after the video emerged showing two adults punching the student in the head while restraining him on the floor. The student is Black. The school in Ellicott City was placed in lockdown.

In a statement, the civil rights groups described the footage as "very disturbing."

"What this video shows is obvious, an adult is striking a student in the head at least twice and pulling his hair while two others are trying to restrain his lower and upper body," the civil rights groups said. "While this video does not show events leading up to this point, it is clear an adult is striking a child."

The charge has drawn an avalanche of comments on the police department's Facebook page.

"The student committed assault and has been charged, as he should be. Williams punched the student in the head after he was fully restrained, using unnecessary force. He has been charged, as he should be. Both of them did something very wrong and both are facing the consequences. The lessons students at Howard will learn are that actions have consequences and that no one is above the law. The teachers who stopped the assault and restrained the student did not face negative consequences because they did their job to keep all students safe properly," one woman posted.

A former instructor at the school who worked with Williams also commented on the situation.

"He really cares for all of the students and he is a very good-hearted person at work and outside of work. This is so unfortunate for all parties involved. Praying for everyone," she said.