Fayetteville Police arrested 41-year-old Devon Murphy, a teacher at Douglas Byrd High School, on Thursday, charging him with strangulation and misdemeanor child abuse. The arrest stemmed from an incident in March 2025, where Murphy allegedly placed a 15-year-old student in a chokehold, leaving the teen unconscious with a swollen forehead.
According to the arrest warrant, the student was physically harmed during the altercation. Murphy, who has been a criminal justice teacher at the high school and a coach for the boys’ varsity basketball team, has worked for Cumberland County Schools since 2013.
In light of the allegations, Cumberland County Schools (CCS) suspended him with pay, pending the investigation’s outcome. In a statement to CBS 17, the school district addressed the situation, emphasizing its commitment to safety and support for the investigation:
“Cumberland County Schools (CCS) is aware of the allegations involving an employee. As soon as the situation was brought to our attention, we reported it to law enforcement and suspended the employee with pay, pending the outcome of the investigation,” the statement read.
“These allegations are concerning and do not reflect the standards we expect of those who serve our students. The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority.” The statement also reiterated the district’s thorough hiring process, including background checks and annual employee handbook reviews to reinforce district expectations.
“We are fully cooperating with the Fayetteville Police Department, which is leading the investigation. Any additional questions should be directed to them,” CCS concluded. Murphy had his first court appearance on Friday afternoon at the Cumberland County Detention Center.
Following the hearing, he was given a next court date of August 20. Murphy declined to comment on the case after his court appearance. Currently, Murphy remains out of jail on a $25,000 secured bond, as the investigation into the incident continues.