South Carolina fifth-grade student dies after fight in classroom

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Thursday, March 28, 2019

WALTERBORO, S.C. -- A South Carolina fifth-grade student has died after suffering injuries during a fight in a school classroom earlier this week.

The student was injured in a fight with another fifth-grade girl at Forest Hills Elementary School on Monday. She passed away Wednesday morning at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Though authorities did not name the student because of her age, the school district identified her as Raniya Wright.

"Raniya was a wonderful student," a statement from Colleton County School District spokesperson Sean Gruber reads in part. "She loved to write, spend time with her friends, play basketball and loved being a big sister. She was actively involved in her church as a junior usher. She will be missed greatly by her family, friends, and the entire school community."

Wright's family confirmed the girl's identity to ABC affiliate WCIV-TV on Wednesday. They said Raniya had been unresponsive and in critical condition since Monday.

According to the district, during the fight, "school administrators promptly secured the scene, ended the fight and called emergency medical services to the school."

An investigation has been opened by the school and another student was suspended in connection with the incident, according to the district.

School administrators said they are working with the Colleton County Sheriff's Office to investigate.

According to a spokesperson with the sheriff's office, no weapons were used in the fight.

Her cause of death is not yet available, according to WCIV-TV. An autopsy on the girl is scheduled for Friday.

The district also said it was temporarily suspending its Facebook page "so we can better focus on providing the care that our stakeholders need at this time."