Middle School Student Accused of Pouring Bleach In Opposing Team’s Gatorade Cooler

GAFFNEY, S.C. – A basketball player at Gaffney middle school allegedly admitted to pouring bleach into his opponents’ Gatorade cooler last week. Cleveland Smith, whose son plays on the Granard Middle School basketball team, said something wasn’t right with his the team’s Gatorade after his son complained about not feeling well. 

“He [Smith’s son] said once he came out of the game and started putting it to his lips said his mouth started burning but no one knew anything then,” Smith said. The next day, Smith said his son complained that his stomach hurt. Rumors reportedly began swirling about a student possibly tampering with the Gatorade. Smith said his son received a text message explaining what had happened: “He told me somebody text him and told him they put bleach in the Gatorade.” 

According to Smith, his son drank four cups of the tainted Gatorade.  It wasn’t clear how much bleach was dumped into the cooler, but in a statement to police, the suspect said he did not meant to harm anyone. 

Students and staff from both schools drank the Gatorade, the police report states.

As of Friday, no charges have been filed but the case remains under investigation, according to Cherokee County Schools Superintendent Dr. Quincie Moore. Several eighth grade students have been disciplined, according to Moore.