Charleston County School District leaders address death of 15-year-old student

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – The Charleston County School District addressed an incident that occurred last Friday at R.B. Stall High School, where a 15-year-old freshman died after experiencing a medical incident.

Superintendent Anita Huggins and district officials held a news conference Wednesday afternoon because they felt the need to clarify the situation and provide the community with as much information about the student’s death as they could.

“We want to begin by acknowledging the deep pain and sorrow the R.B. Stall High School community has experienced following the tragic loss of freshman Tyrek Smith. There are no words to express how much this hurts as both a mother and as the leader of this system,” said Huggins.

Superintendent Huggins attempted to paint an accurate picture of what she said happened that day and to dispel rumors circulating on social media.

“At approximately 1:30 in the afternoon, Tyrek reported to the nurse’s clinic not feeling well. He shared that he had a headache and needed his inhaler. He administered two puffs of albuterol and was given ibuprofen for his headache,” she said.

After four minutes, Tyrek said he was feeling much better, and he returned to class. Security video allegedly shows he was in good spirits. He was talking to people and even skipped up a set of stairs on the way back to his class.

“He skipped two or three stairs. He’s a pretty nice-sized guy, and I was pretty impressed to see him do that, which tells you the state he was in physically as well as emotionally. So he left in extraordinarily great spirits,” said Oscar Douglas, the district’s Executive Director of Internal Compliance and Investigations.

Superintendent Huggins continued the timeline: After approximately 45 minutes, a call came to the clinic, and the nurse was called to Tyrek’s classroom. The nurse immediately responded and found Tyrek sitting at a table in the hallway. He appeared to be in some distress. While transporting Tyrek, he suddenly became unresponsive. An SRO immediately requested EMS via the police radio, and the school initiated a “hold,” which cleared the hallways, allowing staff and EMS to respond quickly. Our nursing staff immediately began life-saving measures, including CPR. They also administered three doses of Narcan and applied AED pads. However, no shock was advised by the device.”

“It happened during the class exchange, so many students saw one of their own fellow students struggling for his life. It was traumatic, and then to learn later that he passed away, there is no easy or adequate way to describe the hurt and pain that such causes,” she continued.

A large group of students held a demonstration Monday in a move the district said was meant to show their love and respect and to express grief following the students’ death. Students walked through the halls and gathered outside the school.

“We had our counseling staff and crisis response teams available at Stall, ready to provide comfort, guidance, and care to any student in need. I want to reiterate that we are fully committed to supporting everyone impacted by this tragedy.”

A vigil will be held at R.B. Stall High School at the end of the school day on Friday to remember Tyrek.