Over 20 students in custody after brawl at Detroit high school - My29 WFTC Minneapolis-St. Paul

Over 20 students in custody after brawl at Detroit high school

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Detroit Police patrol car outside Pershing High School.  (Credit: Fox 2 News) Detroit Police patrol car outside Pershing High School. (Credit: Fox 2 News)
DETROIT (WJBK) -

Fights happen at schools, but a brawl Wednesday at Detroit's Pershing High School was so big that Detroit Police Gang Squad had to come.  They later returned after someone threatened to shoot up the school.

A couple of people were arrested after school.  Earlier in the day around 10:30 a.m., two students started fighting.  It ended with two dozen students in police custody.

"I got a call when I was at work and I just stopped instantly and ran out," said Latyra Reed.  "I said, 'Twelve guys jumped on my son.  I [got] to go.'"

Two armed officers patrol Pershing inside the school, but this brawl got so out of hand they had to call in the Gang Squad.

"[There] is not enough security at Pershing because if [there were] this wouldn't even happen," Reed said.

It is all still under investigation, but we're told gang activity was involved.  The students involved could be placed on long-term suspension or expulsion.  That's anywhere from ten to 180 days.

Amid all of this, the city plans to disband the Gang Squad, which could take these school fights to a whole new level.

"They [are] starting to get guns now and it shouldn't escalate to that," said Juanisha Torres.

Fortunately no weapons were involved, just a lot of people trying to beat each other up.  However, it is certainly worrisome for parents and school officials.  Pershing is an Education Achievement Authority school and they say it is generally pretty safe.  They do not have a lot of school fights and this brawl was really something out of the ordinary.

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