LAKE WORTH BEACH, Fla. — More than 30 people were treated and taken to four area hospitals on Thursday after a fight and the use of pepper spray at Lake Worth High School, according to fire rescue.
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue said they were called to the school at about 12:30 p.m. for the fight.
WATCH: School employee tells WPTV another brawl took place on campus today
Fire Rescue Capt. Tom Reyes said when crews arrived at the scene, they realized that more than four people needed assistance, prompting them to call out a "mass casualty" incident.
Reyes said that 44 Fire Rescue units and private ambulances responded to the school to "quickly assess, treat and transport" students and faculty who needed assistance.
WATCH BELOW: Viewer video of pepper spray incident at Lake Worth High School
As of 1:56 p.m., Reyes said they had taken 32 students and faculty to hospitals. They also assessed another 10-12 students, whose family members arrived and decided to take them home.
Reyes described the injuries as "minor," but was not able to elaborate on the injuries.
A video that WPTV obtained from a witness showed an officer spraying a crowd of people with pepper spray.
Principal Elena Villani said in a statement to parents and staff that the campus was secure and instruction continued as normal before being dismissed as scheduled.
Villani said the students involved in the fight are now facing disciplinary consequences.
WATCH BELOW: Fire Rescue gives update on fight at Lake Worth HS
Students and employees react
Lake Worth High School students and staff say fights on campus have escalated since the start of the new school year, with tensions boiling over Thursday when multiple people were pepper-sprayed during a brawl.
Lorraine Olson, an ESE support facilitator at the school, said Thursday’s melee was one of several clashes in recent weeks.
“There was not just the fight at the cafeteria at lunch, there was a fight outside of the lunchroom,” Olson said.
Olson, who contacted WPTV out of alarm, said staff have been left reeling.
“The teachers today were completely distraught, they were crying, they were hyperventilating, some were hospitalized,” she said.
Witnesses said a fight broke out between two students in the cafeteria, which quickly escalated into a larger brawl involving dozens.
Lake Worth High confirmed pepper spray was used to disperse the crowd. Videos shared with WPTV show students fighting and shouting as staff tried to intervene.
“A lot of kids were coughing, even about to throw up. It was really bad,” said junior Mercedes Escobar.
“There was a lot of screaming, kids were jumping around pushing each other, there was food thrown in the air and food on the floor,” she added.
Students told WPTV Thursday’s cafeteria brawl was actually the second fight that day. Another video shows dozens of students fighting, with one student body-slamming another.
Olson defended the officer who deployed pepper spray.
“The police officer that used the mace, I believe it is, she did it because she needed to, and she did her job professionally,” Olson said.
WPTV reached out to the School District of Palm Beach County regarding staff and student concerns and how the incident would be investigated. A spokesperson said the district was preparing a statement.
Read the full statement sent by the principal to parents:
"Lake Worth Community High School families and staff,
I am writing to inform you about a physical altercation that occurred on our campus involving multiple students.
School Police and administrators immediately responded to the incident and worked quickly to de-escalate the situation. During the altercation, pepper spray was deployed. As a result of the pepper spray, several students were treated by Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. Some students were also transported for further medical evaluation.
The campus is secure and the instructional day is continuing as normal. However, you may see a large presence of first responders around our campus.
I want to take this opportunity to emphasize that physical altercations are a serious violation of the Student Code of Conduct. The students involved are now facing disciplinary consequences. Fighting or any form of physical aggression is not tolerated at school or any School District property.
The School District remains committed to ensuring a safe, secure, and respectful learning environment for all students and staff. We will continue to take swift action against any behavior that threatens campus safety."
Elena Villani
Principal
Lake Worth Community High School
