Update In 'Mass Chaos' At South Paulding High Released

DALLAS, GA — More details have been released as to why a recent middle school dance at South Paulding High School went haywire.

"It was a situation of mass chaos," Paulding County Sheriff Ashley Henson said Tuesday, warning of misinformation that could spread by "playing a game of phone."

The dance was organized by a local booster club and was held Saturday for Scoggins, South Paulding and Austin middle schools. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m.

Henson said it started when parents noticed some students suspiciously behaving and alerted deputies.

A deputy and a parent attempted to make contact with a student, who then ran and stuffed two vapes in the hoodie pocket of another student, Henson said.

RELATED: Melee At South Paulding High Began Over A Vape, Sheriff Says

Both students then ran, causing the deputy to chase them out of the building where parents helped to detain them, Henson said.

By then, word of the incident spread and led to a stampede. As Henson put it, "When one person runs, it's like herd mentality."

The sheriff previously said a scuffle ensued between a student and deputy and that someone yelled "gun" while parents were tackling the students.

"The actions of a few kids caused this thing to go sideways in a hurry," Henson said.

He noted authorities did not find shell casings, bullet holes or a gun at the scene. However, if someone wishes to report details of a gun during the incident, Henson asked tipsters to call (770) 443-3047.

"One of the takeaways that I think is a positive is that our children, your children, did what they were taught to do," Henson said. "They didn't delay, they didn't stop (and) they didn't think about it. They got out of there when they thought it was a bad situation, and thank God that wasn't a bad situation."