LUMBERTON — A Lumberton Junior High School student was pepper-sprayed Wednesday while assaulting a school resource officer, according to the Lumberton Police Department

According to Lumberton police Maj. Tommy Barnes, the male student was in the principal’s office when he became unruly and Officer Belinda Lowery was called in to assist. It’s unclear why the student was in the principal’s office.

Barnes said Lowery tried to calm the student down, but he became aggressive and started cursing at her. Lowery pepper-sprayed the student and the student struck her several times, including in the face.

The student was charged with assaulting a government employee and disorderly conduct. His name is not being published because of his age.