A fifth grader who died after a fight last week at a South Carolina elementary school exchanged shoves and slaps with the other student but didn't initially appear to suffer any serious injuries, the state senator Margie Bright Matthews who represents the area said on the Senate floor yesterday.

Sen. Margie Bright Matthews said she is trying to stop the rush to blame the substitute teacher in the classroom, administrators or the other girl involved in the March 25 fight at Forest Hills Elementary School in Walterboro.