TWO ADULTS CHARGED IN TALBOT COUNTY FOLLOWING HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL GAME
Talbot County, MD - In a recent incident at St. Michaels High School, the Talbot County Sheriff's Office filed charges against two adults: Leonard Darnell Bell, 60, and Kasai Jermaine Thompson, 22. They are accused of assaulting players during a high school basketball game.
The event escalated into a violent altercation on December 19, 2024, when aggressive play led to a fight involving both players and spectators. Bell and Thompson allegedly stepped onto the court and physically assaulted members of the opposing team.
Coaches quickly intervened to diffuse the situation, securing the opposing team on their bus while keeping the local team inside the gymnasium. This occurred before deputies arrived on the scene.
Upon investigation, deputies used security footage from the school to identify Bell and Thompson as the suspects.
Two juvenile players from the opposing team reported the assaults, leading the District Court Commissioner to file charges against the suspects. Both are currently awaiting court hearings. The deputies received additional support during the incident from the Maryland State Police and the St. Michaels Police Department.
The Talbot County Sheriff's Office emphasized its commitment to safety, stating that protecting student-athletes and spectators is their top priority. They maintain a zero-tolerance policy for adult interference at sporting events and any form of violence in schools or the community.
The Sheriff's Office assures the public that they take this incident seriously. Anyone with further information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact the Sheriff's Office at (410) 822-1020, via email at sheriff@talbotcountymd.gov, on their Facebook page, Talbot County Sheriff's Office, or through their website at talbotsheriff.org.
Disclaimer: This article contains content regarding an individual formally charged with a crime. It is important to underline that every individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The details mentioned in this article reflect the current stage of the legal proceedings and are not meant to imply or conclude guilt or innocence.
