Ten people were arrested after nearly 200 people got involved in a massive brawl at a school, with multiple different fights simultaneously across the campus on Wednesday.
The violent altercation broke out at the EBR Readiness Alternative School, located in the East Baton Rouge Parish of Louisiana, US.
According to reports, the incident began with a fight between two female students but quickly escalated to involve up to 200 others, including students and non-student adults.
Law enforcement officials were alerted to the situation and promptly arrived on the scene to break up the altercation.
Officers reportedly arrested 12 individuals on a range of charges as a result of the incident.
Videos from the incident later circulated on social media, showing a deputy from the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Department allegedly punching a student in the face with a closed fist, WAFB reported.
The force of the punch was so strong "that the student’s head hit a brick wall", the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP) said in an announcement.
Another video showed the same deputy allegedly punching a student in the head while the student was on the floor of the school’s gym.
The NAACP condemned the deputy's actions, calling for immediate action to be taken against the officers seen striking students in the videos.
It added that it was assured by Sheriff Sid Geatreux that all the videos submitted, as well as all body camera footage, were being reviewed, and the matter has been placed under investigation.
In response to the incident, the East Baton Rouge Parish School System issued a statement, expressing its commitment to ensuring school campus security and student/staff safety on their campuses.
The school district emphasised that it was working closely with law enforcement partners to elevate their security measures proactively, and provide the staff and resources needed to intervene in the areas at the root of unacceptable activities.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing, and the school district and law enforcement officials have pledged to take appropriate disciplinary action based on the conclusion of the investigation.
Parents have been urged to work together to resolve conflicts peacefully, and officers have been reminded of their responsibility to exercise control and restraint when dealing with students.
The EBR Readiness Alternative School provides education and support to help students develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in college and the workforce.
