Fire & Life Safety

30 female students arrested in brawl at Pittsburgh high school

Brawl at University Prep school reportedly was an outgrowth of an ongoing dispute between students from different neighborhoods.
March 1, 2016

About 30 female students were involved in a brawl at a Pittsburgh high school Monday stemming from what is believed to be a neighborhood dispute.

WTAE-TV reports that police arrested about 30 girls who took part in the skirmish at University Prep High School. The school, which houses grades six to 12, was placed under lockdown until calm was restored.

One student needed hospital treatment for an asthma attack, and others sustained cuts and scratches, officials say. Authorities believe the fight was the result of an ongoing dispute between students from different neighborhoods.

Neighborhood leaders are urging city and school district leaders to intervene to improve the climate at University Prep.

The Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation, a community organization, sent a letter after the fight Monday to the mayor, school superintendent and the Allegheny County district attorney, expressing concern about incidents of violence at the school.

The group is asking the city and school district to bolster efforts to establish a safer environment at the school.

"We are fearful that the current learning environment is hindering children from succeeding in the classroom and will set them back for years to come," the letter states.

Video from WTAE-TV:

About the Author

Mike Kennedy

Senior Editor

Mike Kennedy, senior editor, has written for AS&U on a wide range of educational issues since 1999.

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