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Eight students are recovering after a chaotic fight broke out inside a South Side high school on Tuesday.
The incident occurred at South Shore International College Prep located at 1955 East 75th Street.
According to Chicago police, the altercation began around noon inside the school building.
During the fight, one student reportedly released pepper spray into the air.
The chemical spray quickly spread, impacting at least 10 students in the immediate area.
The Chicago Fire Department was called to the scene to evaluate the victims.
Paramedics transported eight students to the University of Chicago Medical Center.
All eight students were listed in good condition upon their arrival at the hospital.
Five additional individuals at the scene refused further medical treatment from first responders.
School officials have not yet released the names of the students involved in the initial fight.
What specifically sparked the physical altercation remains under investigation.
Area Two detectives are currently handling the case and interviewing witnesses.
No charges have been filed at this time as police continue to gather evidence.
Recent History
South Shore International College Prep is a selective enrollment school known for its rigorous academics.
However, the South Shore neighborhood has seen an uptick in emergency responses involving local youth this year.
This incident marks the latest in a series of security concerns for parents in the South Side community.
In recent months, Chicago Public Schools have faced increased pressure to address campus safety.
Pepper spray incidents, while rare, often lead to mass-casualty responses due to the enclosed nature of school hallways.
Security protocols at the campus are expected to be reviewed following this Tuesday’s events.
The school has not yet announced if any disciplinary actions have been taken against the student who used the spray.
Detectives are looking into whether the pepper spray was brought to school for protection or with intent to harm.
For now, the community remains on edge as they wait for more details from the Chicago Police Department.
