Post by WaTcHeR on Apr 20, 2006 11:36:36 GMT -5
04/20/2006 - An off-duty Chicago police officer reportedly got in a skirmish with a student at Kennedy High School Wednesday afternoon. The officer was one of four recently assigned to help patrol the Southwest Side school.
No one was seriously injured in the lunchroom brawl, which broke out during fourth period, according to students.
"He punched him first," said Aurelio Hernandez, freshman. "In the face, I think. I saw it."
"But you're saying he didn't start it?" said ABC7's Kevin Roy.
"He didn't start it. The security guards were trying to grab him and punching him," said Hernandez.
"And the security followed but they were on the floor and then the principal came and grabbed them off. The principal got hit too," said Jakub Jaronczyk, senior.
Students said seven officers swarmed in on the boy. Police said the entire school was put on lockdown after the fight for about an hour because an off-duty officer thought he was missing a clip of ammunition from his gun. Police searched the lunchroom and never found the ammunition. It's not clear whether it was actually taken.
Just two days ago, Chicago Public Schools added four additional officers to the patrol at Kennedy High School after parents and students held a walkout to raise awareness about an increase in violence earlier last week. Three weeks ago, an honor student was attacked. Overall, violence is up at Kennedy 56% since January. CPS added 190 students to Kennedy High School since last fall, bringing the total to 1,600.
"With more security and more officers, and this is happening? What is this coming to? What does this tell you?" said Marilyn Malone, parent. "Not giving me a good feeling at all."
"We need Mr. Duncan down here. We need the mayor's office down here. We need politicians and people to pull the strings to get the kids that are causing these problems out of the building," said Deborah Switak, parent.
The student allegedly involved in the brawl is expected to be charged with battery, police said.
No one was seriously injured in the lunchroom brawl, which broke out during fourth period, according to students.
"He punched him first," said Aurelio Hernandez, freshman. "In the face, I think. I saw it."
"But you're saying he didn't start it?" said ABC7's Kevin Roy.
"He didn't start it. The security guards were trying to grab him and punching him," said Hernandez.
"And the security followed but they were on the floor and then the principal came and grabbed them off. The principal got hit too," said Jakub Jaronczyk, senior.
Students said seven officers swarmed in on the boy. Police said the entire school was put on lockdown after the fight for about an hour because an off-duty officer thought he was missing a clip of ammunition from his gun. Police searched the lunchroom and never found the ammunition. It's not clear whether it was actually taken.
Just two days ago, Chicago Public Schools added four additional officers to the patrol at Kennedy High School after parents and students held a walkout to raise awareness about an increase in violence earlier last week. Three weeks ago, an honor student was attacked. Overall, violence is up at Kennedy 56% since January. CPS added 190 students to Kennedy High School since last fall, bringing the total to 1,600.
"With more security and more officers, and this is happening? What is this coming to? What does this tell you?" said Marilyn Malone, parent. "Not giving me a good feeling at all."
"We need Mr. Duncan down here. We need the mayor's office down here. We need politicians and people to pull the strings to get the kids that are causing these problems out of the building," said Deborah Switak, parent.
The student allegedly involved in the brawl is expected to be charged with battery, police said.