Concord is a small town located in the northeast corner of Cleburne County. It has a population of approximately 300 people. Concord School is a K-12 public school that educates approximately 600 students on a daily basis.
On April 24, 2019, at approximately 12:40 pm a Concord School faculty member heard what he believed to be a gunshot in the cafeteria bathroom. When he went to check the bathroom, he located a student in the bathroom with what appeared to be a gunshot wound. The school was locked down and the authorities were contacted immediately. Among those that responded were the Concord Police Department, the Cleburne County Sheriff’s Office, the Arkansas State Police, the Arkansas Highway Police, the Independence County Sheriff’s Office, the Batesville Police Department, The Concord Fire Department, and Vitalink EMS Service.
The student, a 14-year-old 8th grader, was pronounced dead at the scene. It is believed at this time that this was an isolated incident, but in being thorough, all other students were searched and moved to a more secure area where they were then released to family, or taken home on their respective buses. Bags, lockers, and other items were also searched in an effort to confirm that this was an isolated incident.
The body is being sent to the State Crime Lab, and this is still an ongoing investigation. Any further questions can be directed to the Concord Police Department or the Concord School.
Concord School will be closed for the remainder of this week. They will be back in session on Monday and will have counselors available on site for students and staff.
No further details are being released at this time.
Cleburne County Sheriff Chris Brown, Concord Police Chief Willie Baker, Concord School Superintendent Dr. Michael Davidson, Concord Principal Scott Whillock
