NEWTON — A former Burke County principal faces two assault charges after witnesses say he pepper sprayed Confederate re-enactors Thursday.

Former East Burke and W.A. Young principal Karl Philip Smith, 56, of Morganton, was charged by the Newton Police Department after witnesses say he used the pepper spray during a reunion parade, according to an NPD press release.

Smith, known by many as Phil, reportedly discharged the pepper spray when the re-enactors went to fire their weapons, the release said. He eventually was identified by witnesses, and officers took him into custody.

Cheryl Shuffler, the public information officer for the school system, said Smith is still a system employee, now working at the bus garage after retiring from his principal position June 30. He plans to officially retire from the school system Aug. 31.

“This incident had nothing to do with the school system,” Shuffler said.

Police found a small canister of pepper spray and a handgun on Smith during a search, the release said. Smith did have a concealed carry permit for the gun.