Chapin High School Medical Incident Prompts Safety Concerns

Chapin, S.C. – Medical Incident Raises Concern at Chapin High School

A recent incident at Chapin High School caused alarm among students and parents alike. On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, reports emerged of a medical situation that began when a school resource officer (SRO) was examining a backpack left in a classroom.

According to an email sent by Principal Ed Davis, the SRO began searching the backpack around 11:30 a.m. Shortly after starting the inspection, the officer started to experience chest pains and shortness of breath. Following this, several other staff members who were present also reported feeling dizzy and light-headed.

In response to these alarming symptoms, school officials acted quickly and contacted various emergency services, including the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, the Lexington Fire Department, and the Lexington County Hazardous Materials Unit.

The Hazardous Materials Unit arrived on the scene and began testing the backpack at approximately 1 p.m. Fortunately, they found no hazardous materials inside the bag. By around 1:45 p.m., Chapin High School was given the all-clear status, and the SRO, along with the affected staff, were evaluated and cleared to return to their duties.

Principal Davis further noted that there was an unrelated incident where emergency medical services (EMS) responded to a student experiencing a different medical emergency, but no details were provided about that case.

In the aftermath of this incident, rumors began to spread in the community suggesting that the symptoms experienced by the staff were linked to possible fentanyl exposure on campus. Principal Davis emphasized that there are no official reports or evidence to support this claim, clarifying that no one was exposed to fentanyl or any other hazardous substances. The source of these rumors remains unclear.

This incident has raised awareness about safety protocols at Chapin High School and has prompted discussions within the community regarding emergency preparedness in schools.

As the investigation continues, school officials hope to reassure parents and students that their safety is a top priority.