ST. CLOUD, Minn. — St. Cloud police say criminal charges have been filed against 19 students involved in a large fight that prompted a lockdown at Tech High School on Sept. 25.
The Stearns County Attorney's Office says it has charged the 19 students involved with an array of charges including: riot in the third degree, aiding and abetting assault in the third degree, terroristic threats and dangerous weapon possession.
Police say one student involved in the fight suffered a broken nose, and the four students responsible have been accordingly charged with aiding and abetting assault in the third degree.
Another student was charged with dangerous weapon possession and terroristic threats after the student brandished a knife - though no one suffered knife wounds during the fight.
In a statement, the St. Cloud school district says none of the students will be allowed to return to the school for the remainder of the school year, and could face "serious disciplinary action," possibly including expulsion.
Investigators believe the fight started with two 16-year-old students who had "prior issues with each other from a previous altercation that took place off school grounds."
In a news release, police say the fight escalated as other students joined "mutually and willingly" in additional fights across a ten-minute span of time. The involved students ignored repeated attempts by school staff to break up the fight. Three of these staff members suffered minor injuries, according to police.
St. Cloud Tech High School issued the following statement:
"St. Cloud Area School District is working closely with the St. Cloud Police Department to ensure a safe and secure learning environment for all students and staff. None of the students directly involved in fighting will return to District 742 this school year and serious disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion, will be considered for all involved. Tech Administration continues to conduct their investigation into last week’s incident and any additional students identified as participating in the disruption will face additional consequences.
St. Cloud Area School District is appreciative of the support provided by the St. Cloud Police Department and school staff to help return Tech High School to a calm, orderly learning environment."