On April 9, 2024, at about 12:50, Newark Police responded to Newark High School for a large fight. Newark Police school resource officers were already at the school and requested additional police personnel to assist.
More than a dozen Newark Police Officers, multiple officers from the University of Delaware Police Department, and Christina School District Constables, along with school staff, were required to restore order in the school, according to Lt. Andrew Rubin.
A preliminary investigation determined that more than 15 students were involved in the initial fight. As officers and school staff attempted to stop the initial fight, multiple smaller fights broke out in hallways near the initial fight.
Six juveniles were taken into custody as a result of the initial fight. Five of the juveniles were taken into custody without further incident. One juvenile resisted arrest, but was taken into custody by Newark Police. No suspects were injured. One police officer suffered a minor injury, but did not require medical attention.
The juveniles, three males and three females were all between 14-16 years of age. They were transported to Newark Police headquarters where they were each charged with disorderly conduct. One male was also charged with resisting arrest. All of the defendants were released to a parent or guardian to appear in New Castle County Family Court at a later date.
A short time later, as school was being dismissed, an additional fight broke out. One of the suspects, a 14 year-old female, attempted to pepper spray another female. A police officer intervened and was struck by the pepper spray. That suspect was taken into custody without further incident. She was transported to Newark Police headquarters, where she was charged with offensive touching of a law enforcement officer and disorderly conduct. The officer did not require medical attention.
A second female, age 15, was charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.
Both defendants were released to a parent or guardian to appear in New Castle County Family Court at a later date.
The incidents at the school today are under further investigation and additional arrests are anticipated in the coming days.