17 people, including officer, exposed to pepper spray during brawl at L.A. high school

At least 17 people needed medical treatment Thursday after a school police officer used pepper spray to stop a brawl at John C. Fremont High School, officials said.

The Los Angeles Fire Department treated more than a dozen people who were suffering from minor eye irritation at the campus in the 7600 block of South San Pedro Street in the Florence neighborhood, spokesman Brian Humphrey said.S

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Two people suffered minor injuries, he said. At least one person was taken to a hospital.

A school police officer also required treatment for pepper spray, according to officials. It was unclear whether it was the same officer who used the spray.

According to Los Angeles School Police Chief Steven Zipperman, two fights had broken out between students just before 11:30 a.m.

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An officer used pepper spray “in an effort to end the fights and to prevent further safety concerns or injuries,” he said in a statement.

The fights ended quickly, but multiple students were exposed to the pepper spray.

“I want to reassure parents and guardians that the safety of our students and staff is the top priority at L.A. Unified,” he said.

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