Students arrested in Lakewood H.S. riot

(11/12/07) LAKEWOOD - Several students were arrested Monday after a riot of almost 100 people broke out at Ocean County?s Lakewood High School. Police said the fight started before 11 a.m. with two trespassers,

News 12 Staff

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Nov 12, 2007, 11:28 PM

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Updated 6,273 days ago

(11/12/07) LAKEWOOD - Several students were arrested Monday after a riot of almost 100 people broke out at Ocean County?s Lakewood High School.

Police said the fight started before 11 a.m. with two trespassers, one of them a former student. Authorities also said suspected gang members were involved.

"Latinos ? jumped a black boy inside the school and then it started going crazy," said senior Andrea Harding.

One student was taken to the hospital for a laceration.

Students described the scene as chaotic and violent, and they said police didn?t help. According to students, officers knocked down some individuals and even used pepper spray on them.

"We used whatever was necessary to move people along and have them disperse,? said Lt. Joe Isnardi with the Lakewood Police Department. ?We were maintaining order."

However, parents remain skeptical. ?How am I gonna send him to school tomorrow without fear?? asked concerned mother Renee Benson. ?He doesn?t want to come back here and it?s sad,? she said of her son.

Parents also told News 12 New Jersey metal detectors are long overdue at the high school. There?s no word on what charges may be filed. An increased police presence is expected at the school Tuesday.