This high school riot happened today in the city of Mt. Vernon, Westchester County, in the New York metro area:

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?se...cal&id=3646629


School Locked Down After Massive Brawl

Began As Single Fight, But Turned Into A Melee

Eyewitness News' Stacey Sager
(Mt. Vernon, Westchester County - WABC, November 18, 2005) - A high school brawl in Mount Vernon got so out of hand that police were called in. It started as a single fight at Mount Vernon High School, but then turned into a melee.

Eyewitness News reporter Stacey Sager in live tonight with the story.

Fortunately no students were seriously injured, no weapons were confiscated, but the school had to be shut down. Witnesses tell us fights broke out both inside and outside of the school and with 2,600 students under one roof authorities weren't taking any chances.

It all started just after 11:00 a.m. at Mount Vernon High School. Students and school officials say there were a series of fights, at least four of them, mostly in the school's cafeteria.

Diandria Payne, 11th Grader: "And everybody started fighting, throwing chairs, standing on tables, tables breaking."

It got so bad that police rushed to the school in full force and by 12:15 p.m. students were in a lock down, with many calling their parents on cell phones with all kinds of concerns.

Michelle Jones, Parent: "He said they had knives, 'mom come get me I don't want to fight today.'"

Jacqueline Jones, Parent: "They said 'come get your child, there's a riot.'"

By 1:30 p.m. today students were dismissed early from the building but some didn't even wait that long.

Akila Crauth, 11th Grader: "I climbed out the window."

School officials do confirm there are problems with gangs here. The school is certainly not immune to violence. Last March two students were slashed at school, a police officer injured as well. Late this afternoon the Superintendent appeared flabbergasted.

Brenda Smith, Mount Vernon Superintendent: "I'm going to be real, there are some students that I'm going to go after and I have no problem saying that."

The superintendent says she was investigate whether gangs were involved in today's incident. So far one student was arrested but she says she had a list of at least five more that will be suspended.
(Copyright 2005 WABC-TV)