PEORIA, Ill. – Peoria police arrested nine people in connection with a large fight outside Peoria High School on Friday.
Seven juveniles involved in the incidents were taken to the Peoria Police Department for questioning and later transferred to the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center. Two adults were arrested and taken to the Peoria County Jail.
Peoria Police Sgt. Amy Dotson said officers responded to the school at 1315 N. North St. at 12:20 p.m. after the activation of a fire alarm inside the building and what was described at the time as unknown trouble. The call was upgraded to a large fight outside the school.
Dotson said upon arrival, officers observed a large fight in progress and hundreds of students outside. Despite the presence of the officers, multiple fights continued.
Peoria Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat told WMBD’s “The Greg and Dan Show”, the fights were started by several small groups, including parents, that wouldn’t let “stupid things” go.
“The parents were worse that the kids, to be honest with you. And, it was just unbelievable…there were situations, some were egging kids on, encouraging kids, demanding that they fight and get revenge,” Kherat said.
Altercations also occurred at locations throughout the duration of the incident in the areas of North and Richmond and Richmond and Bigelow. Additionally, local businesses also reported related altercations on their premises.
Multiple pepperballs were deployed in order to disperse the crowd as well as stop the fighting and prevent more altercations.
Dotson said the arrests of the adults and juveniles were effected to gain control of the scene. Arresting officers encountered resistance from both the crowd and those who were arrested.
Peoria Police were aided by the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office, Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office, Bradley University Police Department, East Peoria Police Department, Illinois State Police and Peoria Public Schools safety personnel.
Superintendent Kherat said there were no incidents at Peoria High Monday morning, and that it was “as quiet as a mouse”.
Peoria police detectives, in collaboration with Peoria Public Schools, are continuing to investigate the incident focusing on identifying and arresting more people believed to be involved.
“The disruptions will not be back at Peoria High. And, there’s still an ongoing investigation. They’re still looking at cameras, they’re still looking at film,” Kherat said.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Peoria Police at (309) 673-4521 or CrimeStoppers anonymously at (309) 673-9000.
