Suspect charged in schoolyard assault

Justin Metcalf

Justin Metcalf, 31, Barnard, has been charged with felony assault following an alleged bullying incident in the South Nodaway R-IV School playground on Saturday, March 14.

School was not in session at the time the incident occurred.

According to court documents, Metcalf allegedly approached a 13-year-old boy who was in the company of several other children and initiated a confrontation.

A probable cause statement filed by Nodaway County Sheriff’s Deputy Jamie Vicker stated that “A 6-foot, 200-pound adult male, positively identified by witnesses present at the playground as Justin Metcalf, pushed the male juvenile and continued to push and chase him around the playground and school property.”

Vicker reported that the episode was recorded by a security camera installed on the school grounds.

The video, according to the deputy’s statement “clearly showed Mr. Metcalf initiating a physical altercation with the male juvenile.”

In addition, Vicker stated the suspect pushed the teen backward “with such force that the juvenile stumbled, nearly losing his balance and potentially causing him to strike his head against the (playground) equipment.”

A Class D felony assault charge against Metcalf was filed Friday by Nodaway County Prosecuting Attorney Robert Rice, who said the boy was not injured.

Metcalf was released from the Nodaway County jail on $4,950 bond. He is scheduled for arraignment April 7.