32 students and faculty taken to hospitals after pepper spray incident at Florida high school

Thirty-two students and faculty at a Florida high school were taken to hospitals for treatment after a police officer used pepper spray to disperse students during a fight.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that the incident occurred during lunchtime Thursday at Lake Worth Community High School. A total of 44 Palm Beach County and private ambulances arrived at the school after calls about the fight.

A total of 32 students and faculty, some who were hit with the pepper spray, were taken to four different local hospitals. Another 10 to 12 students were assessed but taken home by their parents, Reyes said. Most injuries were minor, authorities said.

Coughing and screaming could be heard in a video as students shuffled around the cafeteria. Pepper spray causes painful symptoms including intense burning in the eyes, coughing and difficulty breathing.

Multiple parents complained on social media that all grades attend the same hour-long lunch period.