PEORIA, Ill. – Peoria police confirm nine people have been arrested in connection with a large fight outside Peoria High School Friday.
Seven juvenile offenders were transported to the Peoria Police Department for questioning and later transported to the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center. Two adults were arrested and transported to the Peoria County Jail.
Peoria police Sgt. Amy Dotson said officers responded to the school at 1315 N. North St. at 12:20 p.m. after the activation of a fire alarm inside the building and what was described at the time as unknown trouble. The call was upgraded to a large fight outside the school.
Dotson said upon arrival, officers observed a large fight in progress and hundreds of students outside. Despite the presence of the officers, multiple fights continued.
Altercations also occurred in multiple locations throughout the duration of the incident including the area of North and Richmond and the area of Richmond and Bigelow. Additionally, local businesses also reported related altercations on their premises.
Multiple pepperballs were deployed in order to disperse the crowd as well as stop the fighting and prevent more altercations.
Dotson said the arrests of the adults and juveniles were effected to gain control of the scene. Arresting officers encountered resistance from both the crowd and those who were arrested.
Peoria Police were aided by the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office, Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office, Bradley University Police Department, East Peoria Police Department, Illinois State Police and Peoria Public Schools safety personnel.
Peoria police detectives, in collaboration with Peoria Public Schools, are continuing to investigate the incident focusing on identifying and arresting more people believed to be involved.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Peoria Police at (309) 673-4521 or CrimeStoppers anonymously at (309) 673-9000.
