4 Teens Charged, Pepper Spray Used To End South River Fight

EDGEWATER, MD — Four South River High School students face criminal charges and several were subdued with pepper spray as Anne Arundel County Police broke up a fight in a school restroom. The school principal says he will pursue all school disciplines allowed, along with criminal charges for those involved. Three boys and one girl have been charged.

The fracas began about 11:30 a.m. Wednesday and school resource officers were alerted to a fight in a South River High School men’s restroom. Two officers, along with school administrators, found three boys assaulting another boy in the restroom; all are students at the school. The teens reportedly continued to fight after they were ordered by police to stop, and during a struggle one of the school resource officers used his pepper spray.

Police say a female student rushed into the men’s restroom and interfered with the officer’s arrest. Both the suspect who was sprayed, and the girl who interfered, were taken to a local hospital for decontamination. School officials say some student bystanders sought help from the school nurse.

"In addition to any charges from the police, we will take appropriate disciplinary action," Principal Will Myerssaid in a letter to parents posted on the school website. (Read the full letter at the bottom of this story.) "I will be taking the strongest action allowable per our Student Code of Conduct and the laws of the State of Maryland. Any other students found to be involved will also be disciplined."

The victim of the fight suffered minor injuries from the assault.

The other two suspects are currently in custody and being charged. Police say a third student may be charged after review of the video. No names will be released since all of the teens involved are juveniles, police said. The boys who fought are charged with second-degree assault, resisting arrest, and affray; the girl is charged with hindering a lawful arrest, and disorderly conduct.

"In a schoolwide announcement, I made it clear that such behavior will not be tolerated in our school," Myers said.

Full text of letter to parents by South River High School Principal Will Myers:

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