Farragut students arrested for vandalizing Bearden High School

Farragut students arrested for vandalizing Bearden High School

KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- Three Farragut High School students have been arrested in connection to vandalism at Bearden High School overnight Wednesday.

Police identified two of the students as Tyler Crone and Mitch Kleiber, both 18.

A 17-year-old male student was also arrested. His name isn't being released.

Each student is charged with one count of felony vandalism. In total, the vandalism amounted to about $6,000 worth of damage, according to Knox County Schools spokesman Russ Oaks.

The 17-year-old will be held in the Knox County Juvenile Detention Facility until he has a detention hearing.

Crone is a senior defensive end on the Farragut football team.

The vandals spray painted graffiti all over the Bearden's school building and on the football field. It included stars and the letters FHS in blue spray paint.

Bearden Principal Dr. John Bartlette said he believes the vandalism was done because his school plays Farragut Friday night.

However, he says this won't break their spirits. And to the culprits, Dr. Bartlette added, "We're going to beat them in Second Harvest. That's our goal."

The cleaning crew spent Thursday power washing and painting over the graffiti.

Farragut Principal Mike Reynolds, along with the student government association president, a football team captain, the senior class president and senior class principal went to Bearden Friday and met with students and school officials.

The Farragut group apologized for the graffiti and talked about making sure something like that never happens again.