An after school fight, described as a “street brawl,” left two people injured and spun up threats of violence at Godby High School, leading many parents on social media to suggest keeping their children home from school Thursday.
On Oct. 22, roughly 10 minutes after the high school’s dismissal, a crowd gathered at the corner of Tharpe Street and High Road as a fight broke out, according to a news release from the Tallahassee Police Department.
A video circulating on social media showed multiple people pummeling one another on the sidewalk paralleling the busy road as crowds of students surrounded them. Erroneous rumors of a death also circulated.
The Tallahassee Police Department arrived and found two adult men that had “non-life-threatening injuries sustained during the incident.” Both were alert and talking before they were taken to the hospital for treatment. A school district spokesperson said those injured did not appear to be students.
“TPD is aware of videos that have been posted online regarding this incident and remains committed to identifying all involved individuals,” the news release says. “At this time, it is unclear how many of the individuals involved were students.”
The agency is working closely with Leon County Schools “to maintain a safe and secure environment for students” throughout the duration of the school day, TPD said, but parents were still apprehensive as rumors of “retaliation” spread online.
LCS spokesperson Chris Petley told the Tallahassee Democrat that the school had heard rumors of threats following the fight.
“We have looked into it and have an increased law enforcement presence today,” Petley said.
TPD said the incident is an open and active investigation, and no arrests have been made at this time.
Local government watchdog reporter Elena Barrera can be reached at ebarrera@tallahassee.com. Follow her on X: @elenabarreraaa.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: ‘Street brawl’ outside Godby High School injures two, stirs non-credible shooting threats
Reporting by Elena Barrera, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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