An assistant teacher at West Florence High School in Florence, South Carolina was arrested on Friday for spraying a foul-smelling substance throughout the school.
Alexander Paul Robertson Lewis has been apprehended for covertly releasing a spray that resembles the odor of feces. Reportedly, the Florence County Sheriff’s Office discovered this after several students felt ill and the school faced significant damages estimated at $55,000, largely due to issues with the air conditioning system.
The 32-year-old assistant teacher is said to have obtained the spray, which mimics the smell of feces, from an online source. Investigators indicate that Lewis used the spray numerous times, creating a disruptive atmosphere at the school. This continuous action reportedly necessitated medical attention for some students who experienced breathing problems and other health issues.
Details about how the authorities linked Lewis to the crime remain unclear. It is alleged that he sprayed the substance between August 25 and September 19. During this period, students reported experiencing nausea, dizziness, and headaches.
Lewis was taken into custody at the Florence County Jail, where he is held on a bond of $9,090, facing charges related to malicious injury and damage exceeding $10,000.
“The investigation is ongoing, and more charges could be forthcoming,” stated the Sheriff’s Office.
The motivations behind Lewis’ actions are still not understood.
One individual claiming to be Lewis’ brother responded to inquiries from ABC News, expressing that he wasn’t willing to comment at this time.
In a student’s experience, they shared their discomfort, describing how they often had to cover their nose and mouth while walking through the stairwell to their second block class. “The other day, the smell made me physically ill. I felt lightheaded and on the verge of fainting,” the student mentioned.
