FBI PROBES ACTION IN SHOOTING DEATH, SCHOOL DRUG SWEEP

CHARLESTON - The FBI is investigating whether any civil rights were
violated in separate incidents involving a shooting and a school drug sweep.

Federal agents are taking the lead in the investigation of a drug raid
earlier this month at Stratford High School in Goose Creek, according to
WCSC-TV, Channel 5, in Charleston.

Police entered the school early in the morning Nov. 5. The officers drew
guns and restrained students with plastic handcuffs. No drugs were found in
the raid.

The aggressiveness of the officers has brought scrutiny from several civil
rights groups including the National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People, which says black students were targeted in the search.
State police and other outside agencies have been investigating the incident.

Federal agents also will review the case of Asberry Wylder, who was shot to
death Nov. 7 by North Charleston police.

According to the family attorney, Wylder was a diagnosed schizophrenic who
had a history of run-ins with police. Court records show he should have
been in a mental health treatment program instead of on the streets.

Police say Wylder fought them when they tried to apprehend him for alleged
shoplifting. Wylder was shot twice after he used a knife to stab an officer
wearing a protective vest, police say.

Witnesses say police beat Wylder and fired the second shot after he was
handcuffed and on the ground.

The State Law Enforcement Division has been investigating the shooting, and
North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey has asked the U.S. Justice Department
for a separate investigation.

Federal officials say they will investigate both incidents and send reports
to the Justice Department's civil rights division, which will decide
whether there needs to be a major investigation.

The preliminary FBI investigation could take about a month.