A typical school day ended in chaos Tuesday afternoon at a South Side elementary school.
Nine students were rushed to the hospital after being caught in a mace crossfire.
The incident occurred around 2:55 p.m. inside Paul Revere Elementary School in Grand Crossing.
Chicago police report that a fight broke out between a man and a woman inside the building.
During the heated altercation, the woman reportedly sprayed mace at the man.
The chemical irritant quickly spread through the area, affecting nearby children.
Five girls and four boys, ranging in age from 12 to 14, were exposed to the spray.
Paramedics transported all nine students to Comer Children’s Hospital for treatment.
Authorities confirmed the students were initially listed in good condition.
The school is located at 1010 E. 72nd Street, a staple of the local neighborhood.
As of Wednesday morning, Chicago police have made no arrests in connection to the fight.
Principal Marla Renee Broy addressed the community in a letter sent to families following the incident.
“The safety of our students and staff is always our top priority, and I am writing to inform you of an incident that occurred at school earlier today,” Broy stated.
“This afternoon, there was a physical altercation inside our school building involving members of our school community.”
“During the altercation, one of the individuals discharged pepper spray, impacting other community members.”
“Staff immediately de-escalated the situation and notified the CPS Office of Safety and Security and the Chicago Police Department (CPD) to provide support.”
“Out of an abundance of caution, notifications were made to ensure the impacted individuals received additional support, and their families have also been notified. All students and staff are safe.”
“While I cannot provide further details for privacy reasons, please know we are handling this matter in accordance with CPS policies to ensure the safety of our community.”
“If your child witnessed this altercation and has voiced any concerns or fears about this incident, please let us know, and we will provide them with extra support.”
Investigators are still working to determine how the dispute started inside the school.
Parents are demanding answers regarding how such a violent encounter happened on campus.
