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A 17-year-old student was pepper-sprayed by officers and taken into custody Friday in connection with fights at DeSoto High School, police say.
DeSoto police and school security responded about 12:30 p.m. to the school in the 600 block of Eagle Drive, near West Belt Line Road, and saw multiple fights taking place, the department said.
“Several juvenile students” were detained before they were released to their parents at the school, police said.
Officers pepper-sprayed the 17-year-old after police said he interfered with them. The teen was treated by paramedics at the school and taken to the DeSoto Regional Jail on a charge of interference with public duties.
Police declined to release the teen’s name, although he is considered an adult in the criminal-justice system.
Officers stayed at the school until about 3:20 p.m. to deter other fights, police said. The department did not release any additional details.
DeSoto ISD has been focusing on campus safety as school security concerns have increased in recent months across the country. A handful of other campuses across North Texas — including in Frisco — have been forced to close because of unfounded threats of violence on social media.
The district recently implemented changes on DeSoto campuses that included increased staffing in hallways and common areas. Students are also no longer able to use cellphones or headphones during the day.