Six students arrested after fight at Citrus Valley High School

REDLANDS, Calif. — Six Citrus Valley High School students were arrested or cited after a confrontation between two groups escalated into a fight Tuesday morning, leaving several students exposed to pepper spray and campus staff members with minor injuries.

The altercation began during a morning passing period Sept. 8 as two groups of students gathered and confronted one another, according to a news release from the Redlands Police Department on Wednesday.

Campus safety officers were aware of a developing dispute and, along with the school's Redlands Police Department school resource officer, were attempting to intervene when the confrontation escalated. Police said a teenage girl deployed pepper spray against other students as officers attempted to detain those involved, and a fight broke out.

Campus safety officers then deployed pepper spray against two students before police and school staff were able to de-escalate the situation. Students returned to class without further incident.

Redlands Fire Department paramedics responded to the campus. Those who sustained minor injuries were treated at the scene and released, according to the district. Additional district safety personnel remained at the school to provide support and supervision throughout the day.

Following an investigation, police identified six students in connection with the fight.

Three 14-year-old girls and one 17-year-old girl were arrested on misdemeanor charges. One of the 14-year-old girls also faces a felony charge for deploying pepper spray, according to police. Two 16-year-old boys were cited for infractions. Police did not specify the individual misdemeanor or infraction charges in its news release.

Redlands Unified is conducting a separate administrative review and said students involved could face disciplinary action under district policies and procedures.

“We recognize the concern an incident like this creates for our students, families, staff, and community,” Superintendent Juan Cabral said in a statement. “Our schools must be places where students and employees feel safe. We are grateful for the immediate response of our Campus Safety team, school administration, emergency personnel, and the Redlands Police Department. We are also committed to holding those involved accountable and reinforcing with our students that conflicts must never be allowed to escalate into violence.”

The district also urged students who become aware of a potential confrontation to report it to an adult, administrator, campus safety officer or law enforcement rather than participate, encourage the behavior or gather around a fight.

Because the incident involves minors and ongoing disciplinary proceedings, the district said it would not release additional information about individual students or specific disciplinary actions.