Authorities say an 18-year-old central Arkansas high school student accused of choking a classmate now faces an attempted murder charge.
According to a news release from the Bryant Police Department, Cornelious Smith was seen on video grabbing a 17-year-old in the Bryant High School parking lot Tuesday. The victim eventually fell to the ground, unconscious, the release states.
Officers noted that the video shows two administrators walk up to the 17-year-old "just after" she falls. She was taken to the school nurse to be evaluated, according to police.
Smith taken into custody Tuesday and originally charged with aggravated assault, authorities said. At a Wednesday morning court hearing, the Saline County prosecutor upgraded the charge to attempted murder, the release states.
The investigation is ongoing.
