Armed retired principal pepper sprays Confederate re-enactors?

Was also carrying concealed but didn't notify police when detained.

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NEWTON, N.C. - The man charged with pepper spraying Confederate re- enactors at the 128th annual Soldiers Reunion Parade in Newton last Thursday is a former Burke County principal.

The district said he retired from being a principal but is still a system employee.

During the parade, Channel 9 saw Smith, who also had a gun, was taken into custody. Eyewitness News reporter Dave Faherty witnessed the incident and said Smith went over to some Civil War re-enactors and pepper sprayed them.

Karl Smith, 56, of Morganton, was charged with two counts of misdemeanor assault and was also cited because he did not tell officers he had a gun on him.

"They are required to identify that they do have a permit and are carrying a weapon as soon as they are addressed by law enforcement," Newton police Maj. Tim Hayes said.

"That did not happen," Hayes said.

Smith was released from jail on the promise he would appear before a magistrate.

Each year, the parade attracts close to 10,000 people to Newton. A festival was underway Thursday morning on the town square ahead of the parade, which starts at 5 p.m.

"It's a peaceful parade,” Catawba County Sheriff Coy Reid said. “We hope everyone enjoys the parade. Of course, anyone who comes here and breaks the law is going to go to jail."