WRIC Richmond News and Weather - School Fight Prompts Police Mayday
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Students were locked in their classrooms at George Wythe High School Wednesday after a fight broke out during lunch.
Nearly a dozen Richmond Police Officers were called to the school to break up a fight that authorities say broke out between 5 male students.
In order to protect other students, school officials issued a code red, restricting students movement inside the building.
"You have a lot of students not directly involved in the altercation who were around, and so we wanted to diffuse the situation as quickly as possible," Richmond Public Schools Spokesperson says Felicia Cosby.
No one was injured as a result of the brawl, although 8News saw students coming out of the building with black eyes and torn clothing.
School officials say they heard the fight may have been the result of a turf war between two neighborhood rivals, but are still investigating to find a definite cause.
Parents tell 8News they were startled and scared.
"I was shocked because I didn't know what was going on. This has never happened before that I know of. This is my daughter's last year of school and I am trying to get her in and out safely," says parent Mary Coleman.
School officials plan to have additional security tomorrow as a precaution.
All five students have been charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct and released into the custody of their parents. They are also suspended pending the outcome of a panel hearing.
"To come here and see all these police cars and then they won't let anyone in or out I think this is just a bit ridiculous," says Wendy Whitaker, one student's aunt.
Stay with 8News for any new developments.
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