Demonstration against bullying at Sedalia High School gets heated

Parents, students and stakeholders held a protest at Smith-Cotton High School on Thursday afternoon.

It was meant to honor the memory of 16-year-old Riley Garrigus, who took her own life Saturday, and to call for changes to the school district’s bullying policy and access to mental health.

School district officials responded Wednesday saying they were working to address the concerns of the community.

What was meant to be a peaceful protest turned heated when parents and students expressed their dissatisfaction with school and district leadership.

Pettis County Sheriff Kevin Bond said four deputies were at the scene at the beginning of the demonstration and eight more were called when the protest began to get heated.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Sedalia Police Department also responded to the scene.