SCHOOL RAID, SHOOTING RILE BLACK LEADERS

NAACP Official, City Councilwoman Say Principal, Police Chief Should Lose
Their Jobs

Last week's drug raid at Stratford High School and the fatal shooting by
North Charleston police of a suspected shoplifter have raised calls from
black community leaders that those in charge either step down or be fired.

At a news conference Wednesday at North Charleston City Hall, James
Gallman, head of the state's NAACP, said the Berkeley County School Board
"should take a close look" at Stratford High School Principal George
McCrackin "and he should be dismissed."

At issue is whether McCrackin was at fault for letting police enter the
school with guns drawn. Gallman said police apparently targeted an area in
the school frequented predominantly by black students who ride school buses
rather than a section where students, most of them white, enter after
arriving in personal vehicles.

Gallman called for McCrackin's dismissal after reading a statement urging
the school board to consider "actions of a principal who capriciously and
arbitrarily condones the disruption of school and the endangerment of a
portion of the school population."

McCrackin didn't return a call to his office Wednesday, and district
spokeswoman Pam Bailey said he had been instructed to divert calls from the
media to her office. She said McCrackin knew in advance about the drug
sweep but didn't know police would enter with guns drawn.

"He was expecting police and dogs," Bailey said, "but not police with guns
drawn. He wouldn't have approved of guns drawn had he known of it in advance."

State Rep. Shirley Hinson said she supports the district and applauded
officials for backing McCrackin.

"I do know George McCrackin would not have approved of the manner the drug
search was held," she said. "He would not authorize students to be
traumatized to that degree ... But once (police) come in, it's their show."

Hinson, whose son graduated from Stratford High, and other legislators from
Berkeley County met with school board members Wednesday at Goose Creek
Primary for their usual pre-session get-together. The legislative session
resumes in January.

"I have no problem with the police going in. I do have concerns on why
weapons were drawn," Rep. David Umphlett said.

He, Hinson and Sen. Bill Mescher declined to criticize the police, saying
they would reserve judgment until the State Law Enforcement Division
finishes its investigation.

"We have so much mud slung at us, we're unwilling to sling it at others,"
Mescher said.

"I'm not fully versed on both sides," added Rep. Tom Dantzler. "I'm sure TV
has shown the very worst shots."

In North Charleston, city Councilwoman Dorothy Williams called for police
Chief Jon Zumalt to step down. Williams, who arrived at the scene shortly
after Asberry Wylder was killed Friday, said she does not trust SLED to
investigate.

"I am 100 percent in support of our police department, but I can't support
the department on this case," said Williams, adding that Zumalt's
denouncement of witness statements was out of line.

"Zumalt needs to resign," she said.

Zumalt has called accounts from witnesses "a fabrication," saying people
pushing the story that Wylder was shot a second time while handcuffed were
either confused or lying.

City Councilman Sam Hart, who also attended Wednesday's news conference,
didn't call for Zumalt's badge but did say the chief was wrong to say
witnesses had lied.

"The chief's statements were inappropriate and premature," he said.

Zumalt declined to comment.

Sandra Senn, a lawyer representing North Charleston police, said she is
confident the facts will show officers acted properly.

"All police shootings get blown out of proportion initially in the press,
but when the dust settles, it usually becomes clear why the officers were
forced to shoot," she said.

Gallman said the state's National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People supports North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey's call for the
U.S. Justice Department to investigate "so there will be no unanswered
questions."

The news conference was followed by a community meeting at a North
Charleston church. About 100 people, including some local and state elected
officials, attended and talked about concerns over the shooting in North
Charleston and the drug raid at Stratford High.

Some were angry; others urged patience.

"I just hope everybody does the right thing. I don't think anybody should
jump to conclusions," said Benjamin Washington, first vice president of the
North Charleston branch of the NAACP.

Glenn Smith and Seanna Adcox of The Post and Courier Staff contributed to
this report.