SACRAMENTO COUNTY, Calif. — Eight students are facing charges after a large fight at Valley High School in Elk Grove Unified School District.
The fight forced the school into lockdown for 90 minutes.
The Sacramento County Sheriff’s office said the fight was started by a student who was on suspension for fighting, and they said he came to school Wednesday but left in handcuffs.
There was extra security at Valley High School on Thursday after the large fight broke out on Wednesday.
Video being shared on social media shows a melee and teachers in the middle of it all shouting for help. The fight was so intense, several staff members received minor injuries.
Parents picking up their kids after school Thursday said they are concerned.
“We are parents, and we're constantly concerned about violence,” said one parent with a daughter who attends the high school.
Mario Martinez said it’s his son's first year at Valley High, and he was looking for information about the lockdown.
“From 11:30 to 1 o’clock, I wasn’t able to get a hold of the office at all,” said Martinez.
In all, seven students were arrested and taken to juvenile hall. One was cited and released.
Sergeant Amar Gandhi with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office said the fight was chaotic.
“Charges range all the way from misdemeanor battery to felony assault, all the way to inciting riot,” said Sgt. Gandhi.
Investigators said the “inciting a riot” charge indicates just how chaotic the fight was.
“If you are starting a fight and encouraging others to participate, that charge can apply and did in this case,” said Sgt. Gandhi.
Elk Grove Unified School District told ABC10 that each of the high schools in their district have a dedicated school resource officer that also handles the neighboring middle school and elementary school. They also have a security specialist.
When the fight broke out, the sheriff’s office said the officer was at a different school.
As the investigation unfolds, the sheriff’s office wants to send a message to these students.
“This is not going to be tolerated in any of these schools. This is not a simple administrative slap on the wrist, this rose to the level of criminal charges,” said Sgt. Gandhi.
ABC10 reached out to the California Teachers Association and the Elk Grove Education Association to see if the teachers union would be getting involved, but the inquiry was not immediately returned.
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