DeKalb SWAT called to stop riot at youth detention center

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By Mike Morris

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Normal operations have resumed at the DeKalb Regional Youth Detention Center after a SWAT team was called in to quell a riot that broke out Wednesday night.

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WSB-TV DeKalb SWAT officers enter a youth detention center following a report of a riot.

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The county police SWAT team arrived at the center on Clifton Springs Road in south DeKalb at around 10:15 and was inside for about 45 minutes.

Scheree Moore, spokeswoman for the state Department of Juvenile Justice, said in a statement early Thursday that a "group disturbance" began about 8 p.m. in one of the housing units at the center.

"The staff at the facility immediately identified the circumstances surrounding the disturbance, identified the youth involved and, with the assistance of the DeKalb Police Department, safely secured the youth," Moore said.

She said five staff members and "a few" youth sustained minor injuries during the disturbance, which was contained to one unit.

Moore did not say what sparked the disturbance.

"The circumstances surrounding the disturbance are under investigation and charges may be pursued against those responsible," Moore said.

She said normal operations have resumed at the facility.

Earlier this month, a teenage murder suspect escaped from the facility but was recaptured a day later.

Dwayne McCloud, 16, was reported missing when he failed to show up for roll call at around 5:30 p.m. on May 14. The facility was locked down, but McCloud was not inside.

The teenager, who is accused along with two others of killing a 78-year-old Savannah man during an armed robbery, was found around 12:30 p.m. on May 15. McCloud allegedly served as the lookout during the January robbery.

Staff writer Kristi E. Swartz contributed to this article.