Several arrested in school riot

Juveniles and adults were arrested after a fight and riot about noon Tuesday at Hope High School, according to Kim Tomlin, Hope assistant police chief.
Hope Police Department and the Hempstead County Sheriff's Department responded to a call for help at the high school, in reference to an "officer needs assistance" radio call.
"Seconds later, a 911 call was received from the main office of Hope High School requesting officers respond to a large fight in the main office," Tomlin said.
The school resource officer saw a large group of students enter the main office and "engage other students in an aggressive manner," Tomlin said.
"Several students then became involved in numerous physical altercations. One juvenile student picked up a plastic desk organizer and began to strike another student in the head with it, then threw the organizer across the office, nearly striking other people," she said.
"One student was on the floor covering another female student. The school resource officer attempted to separate these two students but was then pushed by another male student. The officer turned his attention towards the juvenile male student who pushed him, and the student then pulled away and swung his fists at the officer. The officer was eventually able to detain the student until assisting officers arrived to secure the rest of the area and the crowd," Tomlin said.
The altercations in the main office were possibly related to a previous fight between two girls in the school cafeteria that occurred just moments before the incident in the office area, she said.
Several juvenile students who were involved have been identified and were disciplined based on the Hope High School handbook policy.
Four juvenile students were charged with riot, third-degree battery and disorderly conduct, and were released to their parents pending a juvenile court date.
One juvenile male was later arrested and charged with second-degree felony battery, riot and disorderly conduct, and was detained pending a juvenile court date.
The following students were charged as listed:
 Cha'Myria L. Davis, 19, riot, third-degree battery and disorderly conduct
 Mercedes T. Harris, 18, riot, third-degree battery and disorderly conduct
 Rosquasha M. Dancer, 18, riot, third-degree battery and disorderly conduct
 Dalisia Brown, 18, riot, third-degree battery and disorderly conduct
All the adult students were cited and released pending a court appearance.

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