Girls Use Knife, Battery-Filled Socks In Wheaton School Brawl: PD

WHEATON, IL — Seven Wheaton North students are facing felony charges after a brawl that broke out in the school Tuesday morning. Police say some of the girls armed themselves with pocketknives and socks stuffed with batteries and a can of green beans to use as weapons in the "premeditated brawl."

Police say the brawl started around 7 a.m. Authorities tried to break up the fight and called in help from the Wheaton, Carol Stream, and Glen Ellyn Police Departments.

Wheaton North students described the scene as there being "blood everywhere," a source told Patch.

In a statement, DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said, "The alleged actions against the students in this incident will absolutely not be tolerated. School safety continues to be a top priority of my administration and any incident that disrupts school safety or the ability of teachers to teach and student to learn will be met with serious consequences."

Each of the 7 girls was charged with mob action, according to DuPage County State's Attorney's Office. Three were charged with unlawful use of a weapon and one student was charged with aggravated battery of a teacher.

After the altercation, Wheaton North Principal Matt Biscan sent the following letter to parents. The letter read,

As previously stated in an earlier email, there was an altercation at Wheaton North before school today that involved multiple students. Staff responded to the incident with the necessary help of additional police.

In order for police and school administration to complete our investigation, a "Secure and Teach" safety protocol was enacted. A secure and teach is one of our safety protocols where students and staff remain in classrooms and staff continue delivering instruction and/or students continue working. Once that investigation was concluded, we lifted the protocol around 8:45 a.m., and we resumed our normal bell schedule and activities.

This type of behavior does not represent the school culture that we are proud of at Wheaton North. We will continue to work with all students to help guide them in their decision making. School, parents, and community can work together to make a positive impact on all our students.

According to Community Unit School District 200 spokesperson Erica Loiacono,no students were taken to the hospital as a result of the brawl.