Some Linden McKinley STEM Academy students were sprayed with mace on Thursday after a fight caused panic in the school.
Columbus City Schools placed Linden McKinley STEM Academy on lockdown because of the fight, which escalated so quickly police said they were afraid a riot could start, 10TV's Danielle Elias reported.
It all started after two girls became physically aggressive during lunch. A resource officer was onsite to respond and called Columbus police officers for backup.
The girls who fought were not injured, but several onlookers were injured as police tried to control the growing crowd.
"I had to get on the phone, call for the cops, call for the squad to come in," said mother Nichole Hammack.
Hammack said there were about 30 students gathered around the fight, Elias reported.
"I just heard a couple of teachers saying that the students, when they tried to break it up, that the students were jumping on the teachers' backs and was hitting them," said Hammack.
According to police, the school's resource officer said he felt using mace was necessary to break up the fight before other officers arrived.
One student injured his hand by pushing through a glass door, while trying to leave the school and another had trouble breathing, Elias reported.
Once the panic calmed down, school officials said class resumed for all students to finish out the school day.
Three students, including the two girls who fought, were ordered by police to appear in court for disorderly conduct, Elias reported. Police released them to their parents.
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