6 hospitalized after fight at Albany High

PHOTOGRAPHER: Jill Bryce

Twenty-two people, students and staff, were exposed to pepper spray at Albany High School on Friday morning during a fight between two girls.

Six of those students had to be taken to area hospitals for treatment, according to school district spokesman Ron Lesko.

The other 16 — 11 students and five security staff — were treated at the school for minor exposure.

Lesko said the fight happened during the first lunch period about 10:45 a.m. when a number of people were exposed to pepper spray. It appears no injuries were significant, though, he said.

“We do not know who had the pepper spray, but we know who was involved in the fighting,” Lesko said. “They will be suspended for five weeks, possibly longer.”

Lesko said the fight was related to another fight among a group of females after school Thursday on Central Avenue. That incident led to four arrests and one girl being injured.

“What occurred in school was related to the disagreement they were having on Thursday,” Lesko said. “We have identified the two girls and they will be suspended and others will likely be disciplined. We are trying to gather facts and understand who was involved.”

The school was locked down after the incident but was back on its regular schedule by 11:30 a.m., Lesko said.

None of the students involved in the original fight were identified.