1 of 3 Therrell High students released from jail

By Christopher Seward

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Two of three students attending a magnet high school in southwest Atlanta remained jailed Friday a day after they allegedly were caught gambling at the school, and police said one was armed.

The student who was allegedly armed at D.M. Therrell School of Law, Government and Public Policy, 11th-grader Demarcus Williams, appeared before a judge on Friday, according to Fulton County sheriff's spokeswoman Tracy Flanagan. She said bond for Williams, who was charged with gambling, obstruction of a law officer and having a weapon on school property, had not been set and that he remained in the custody of the jail.

The other two students, Zakkiyya Ardister and Eric Flemister, both 17 and charged with gambling, were taken to the Atlanta City Jail. Ardister posted $453 bond Friday morning and was released, but Flemister remained at the jail Friday, a  jail administrator said. Flemister, whose bond was set at $1,146, was also charged with having no identification.

Atlanta police spokeswoman Officer Kim Jones said a school resource officer caught the three males gambling at the school around 2:45 p.m. Thursday.

After they were arrested, Williams, 18, said he needed to use the restroom, Jones said.

When he was taken to the restroom, Williams allegedly tried to hide a 9mm handgun in a urinal, the spokeswoman said. Jones could not say if the gun was loaded.

Atlanta Public Schools spokesman Keith Bromery told Channel 2 Action News there were no injuries or disruptions at the school. Bromery said the student with the gun was suspended for nine days pending a tribunal. The spokesman did not provide the status of the other two males.

Therrell at 3099 Panther Trail SW near I-285 and Greenbriar Mall, is designed to develop students' interests, skills and abilities in the law.