Fight At Arsenal Tech High School Leads To Injuries, Arrests

Thirteen students were arrested Thursday afternoon following multiple fights at Arsenal Tech High School.

Eight students were injured during the afternoon melee on the Near Eastside campus courtyard that drew around a hundred student spectators. Three of the injured students were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. 

EMS was called to the school around 1 p.m. for a fight on the campus near East Michigan and North Oriental streets, says Indianapolis Fire Department Battalion Chief Rita Reith

Eight to 10 students were involved in a "merely a fist fight ... but a large crowd spectating," says IMPD Deputy Chief Chad Knecht.

The 13 students were arrested for "disorderly conduct," according to Knecht.

More than a hundred students gathered to watch the fights, according to Carrie Cline Black, IPS Spokesperson.

“We greatly appreciate the quick response from IPS Police and IMPD to protect our students. We are fortunate to have an ongoing relationship with the Peace Learning Center whose mission is to teach conflict resolution and build peace throughout the Indianapolis community,” said Black said in a statement released late Thursday. “They have been working with our students as we have transitioned to our new high school experience. That work will continue throughout the school year.”

The cause of the fight is unknown and the investigation into it continues, Knecht said.

The fight lead to streets around the school being closed down. More than two dozen public-safety vehicles were at or near the school.

When class resumes Friday, the IPS Crisis Response Team, a group of counselors and social workers, will be available to provide emotional support to students. There also be increased security on the campus by IPS police, Cline says. Students will follow a special staggered lunch schedule and a staggered school dismissal.

Classes started Aug. 6. High school students attending IPS now choose the school they attend based on academic programs offered -- instead of where they live.

Arsenal Tech is one of four high schools that remain open for the 2018-19 academic year after the summer closure of Arlington, Broad Ripple and Northwest high schools.

The consolidation caused enrollment at Arsenal Tech to increase by about 700 students. The unofficial enrollment for the first day of class was 2,771 students.