Things got disturbingly real at Douglas Byrd High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and not in a “high school drama” kind of way. A 41-year-old teacher and basketball coach, Devon Murphy, is facing serious legal heat after an alleged physical altercation with a 15-year-old student that went way beyond what anyone would consider a “teachable moment.”
Now, it’s not every day that a criminal justice teacher is the one making headlines for a felony-level assault. However, according to police and court documents, that’s exactly what happened in this North Carolina high school. Murphy is accused of putting a student, identified only as “T.A.,” in a chokehold so intense it allegedly caused the teen to lose consciousness. The incident reportedly happened back on March 25, 2025, but Murphy was only arrested at the end of July.
What happened during those four months? The investigation, it seems. Meanwhile, Murphy stayed on the school’s payroll, suspended with pay.
North Carolina Teacher Goes Too Far
According to the arrest warrant, the physical damage didn’t stop at just the loss of consciousness. The student also reportedly had swelling on his forehead. The whole situation screams of the kind of behavior we expect in a bad Netflix true-crime doc, not from a North Carolina teacher trusted to educate and mentor teens.
To make matters worse, Murphy also coaches the boys’ varsity basketball team. Which makes this even more uncomfortable. This isn’t just a teacher behind a desk; he’s someone who likely spends a lot of one-on-one time with students, on and off the court.
Cumberland County Schools (CSS) released a polished, PR-slick statement saying that as soon as the incident was reported, they acted, notifying law enforcement and suspending Murphy. The school district also pointed out that they conduct thorough background checks and require all employees to review the employee handbook yearly. “The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority,” they added.
He Was Charged With Assault
Now that Murphy has been arrested and has since posted his $25,000 bond, all eyes are on what happens next. The charges against him include one count of assault by strangulation and one count of misdemeanor child abuse. While those charges alone are serious, it’s the context that really hits hard.
This isn’t some heated moment on a street corner. It’s inside a place where kids are supposed to feel safe and supported, not choked out until they black out. “He snapped,” one person stated of the shocking news report.
As for Murphy, he hasn’t publicly commented, and we’ll have to wait and see how the legal process unfolds. But one thing’s for sure, this North Carolina high school is facing some hard questions about oversight, accountability, and what happens when the people in charge lose control.
Hunter Spears 
Kenna Raye 
