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Police Charge Man In Long Reach High School Assault

COLUMBIA, Md. (WJZ) -- A 40-year-old man is handcuffed and charged with assault after police say he attacked a teenager at Long Reach High School.

Mike Hellgren has the update to this fight seen all over the Internet.

Donnell Vannison faces 10 years in prison, maximum, if he's convicted. Hundreds of thousands of people have seen the fight that got him into trouble.

Police say the video that went viral online was key in identifying and charging Vannison with second-degree assault. He wore a ski mask and attacked a 16-year-old student on a high school campus. The student ended up knocking him to the ground.

Students are glad cops solved the case.

"I'm glad that they got him and it was kind of crazy for him to come to the school grounds and try to fight somebody," said Catharine Rand.

According to charging documents, Vannison was knocked out after the fight but refused medical attention and then gave the officer a fake name.

Police say Vannison came to campus because of a connection to a 15-year-old girl who's seen on the video attacking the victim. She's been charged as a juvenile with assault.

"This was really unique because an adult came from off the campus and assaulted a student. We think we've made the appropriate arrest in this case and don't expect to make another arrest," said Sherry Llewellyn, Howard County Police.

Authorities listed two addresses for Vannison, one near the school and one in West Baltimore, where a neighbor says that's out of character.

"He's seemed to be real nice to me," said Phyllis Brewington.

But a search of court records reveals he has a long criminal record, including charges for theft, drugs and resisting arrest. He's been ordered to stay off the Long Reach campus.

Vannison is free on bond.

Vannison's next court appearance is scheduled for June 6.

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