PORT ORANGE, Fla. – Authorities from three law enforcement agencies responded to Atlantic High School Thursday for a lunchtime fight that resulted in the arrest of 11 teens and one adult, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said the fight broke out in the courtyard around noon. Port Orange and South Daytona police officers and Volusia County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 11 juveniles, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The fight was over events that occurred on Wednesday night at the Sunset Oaks apartment complex, deputies said.
The Sheriff’s Office said a separate fight happened in the discipline office between suspects from the first fights.
Deputies said 11 teens are facing charges of disruption of a school function.
Two of the teens were charged with probation violations, investigators said.
One adult was also arrested for trespassing on campus. Deputies said the man is accused of bringing brass knuckles to the school.
Investigators said one of the students involved was his younger brother who had been attacked at the apartment complex Wednesday night.
“It is likely that the quick response and teamwork among all involved agencies significantly reduced the potential for a prolonged incident,” a Port Orange Police public information officer said.
Concerned parents and guardians waited outside the school to pick up their students at the end of the day after the lockdown ended.
Parent Michael Munn said his son recorded video of the chaotic scene while in hiding.
“You raise your kids to be safe and what not so he did the right thing getting into a closet," Munn said.
Parent David Hall said the school did the right thing by placing the campus on lockdown but would like to see a better communication system in place.
“I think we’re all parents, we all have that feeling but understand that from the law enforcement side, we have to put the school on lockdown to control the area," Port Orange Police Chief Thomas Grimaldi said. "We have to control the situation in the area and get under control as quickly as possible. Our main goal is not only the students but also the staff on campus.”
The Sheriff’s Office said extra law enforcement will be at the basketball game.