At least a hundred students were involved in a large altercation at Antoine-Brossard High School on Montreal’s South Shore on Friday afternoon. One person was taken to hospital and police had to intervene to disperse the students.
Posted at 4:38 p.m.
Officers from the Longueuil Agglomeration Police Service (SPAL) were called to the scene at around 2 p.m. On the grounds of this secondary school near Boulevard de Rome and Boulevard de Milan in Brossard they found at least a hundred students, if not more.
The reasons for the gathering and the initial dispute still need to be clarified, explains SPAL spokesman François Boucher.
Some students were bothered by a substance that initially appeared to be cayenne pepper before this hypothesis was rejected. “It may involve the use of perfume,” Mr Boucher says. Some had discomfort on their faces and eyes.” One student had to be transported to hospital because of this “fluid” but his life was not in danger, Mr Boucher said.
During the stampede, another student ended up on the ground, he added.
An investigation has been launched to determine whether criminal acts were committed and to determine the timing of the brawl. Investigators will collect witness statements and review video footage recorded at the crime scene.
At the time of writing, there have been no arrests.
SPAL police officers and three Social and Organizational Support Network (RESO) agents will remain on site until the end of classes on Friday.