BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
WARFIELD — Four men were arrested and one woman was cited Monday after a fight between adults erupted in the parking lot of Warfield Elementary School. The incident prompted the school to initiate a soft lockdown.
Officers Nathan Todd and Justin Bellamy with the Martin County Schools Police Department responded at approximately 12:17 p.m. to reports of a fight on school property.
Arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, second degree, were Caleb Michael Costa, 21, of Warfield; Gage Dalton Reed, 25, of Debord; Tony Costa, 48, of Warfield; and Ronald Reed, 29, of Sitka.
Police also cited Sunday Costa, Caleb Costa’s mother, for disorderly conduct, second degree. She was not arrested.
According to police, Gage Reed and Ronald Reed said they had been involved in an altercation with Caleb Costa at McDonald’s in Inez. They stated they contacted 911 and then followed Costa’s vehicle in an effort to locate his address so they could attempt to press charges.
The Reeds told officers that when Costa pulled into his driveway beside Warfield Elementary School, they entered the school parking lot.
“They said they were attempting to turn around and return to Warfield to get cellphone service and further advise law enforcement,” Officer Todd said. “As they were turning around, Costa, accompanied by his father, Tony Costa, came onto the school property and confronted them.”
Police said both Gage Reed and Ronald Reed exited their vehicle. Gage Reed and Caleb Costa then became involved in a physical altercation.
“Ronald Reed and Tony Costa were egging the whole situation on in the parking lot,” said Todd.
Ronald Reed recorded the incident on his cellphone as the confrontation became physical. Officers reviewed the footage and reported observing Gage Reed and Caleb Costa fighting while all involved individuals were “yelling, cussing and arguing on school grounds.”
Officers also reviewed school surveillance footage, which corroborated statements that the Costas left their property and advanced toward the Reeds.
Police determined the Costas were not blocking the Reed vehicle and that the Reeds could have exited the parking lot. Instead, police said, they parked and exited their vehicle, continuing the altercation.
According to officers, Gage Reed advanced toward Caleb Costa, and Caleb Costa struck Reed first.
“There ended up being five people total involved in this altercation in one way or another,” said Todd.
The incident disrupted school operations and prompted Warfield Elementary to place the school on a soft lockdown as a precaution.
Police did not report any injuries to students or staff.
Editor’s note: All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.