Police from several agencies were summoned to the East Second Street high school around 11 a.m. for reports of a large fight. More than a dozen patrol cars could be seen lined up in front of the building, with several officers posted to the front entrance.

Dr. Kevin Whitaker, JPS superintendent, said the district’s school resource officer and a school safety officer immediately responded to the cafeteria and were “able to gain control of the situation.”

He continued, “Out of an abundance of caution, additional law enforcement presence was requested. During this time, JHS administration made the decision to put the school into a hold in place and school operations returned to normal as soon as possible.”

Whitaker acknowledged that the heavy police presence at the high school may have caused alarm for parents.

“While fighting is never tolerated, we want to be clear that this incident did not involve weapons of any kind,” he said. “We respectfully ask those who may choose to comment on the incident do so responsibly so as to avoid the spread of fear and misinformation.

“We are grateful to our partners in law enforcement for their swift response and their partnership in addressing this situation. And we are appreciative of the efforts of our administrators and staff who intervened and helped to resolve the situation very quickly.”

In a message to parents, JPS said the students involved in Tuesday’s fight were taken into custody by police; the district did not specify how many students were involved or detained.

Nonetheless, JPS said it will seek the “maximum disciplinary actions as allowed within district policies and state law” and that charges will be filed where appropriate.

“The District is proud of the response of staff who intervened and students who immediately dispersed upon being asked, as well as the law enforcement agencies who provided immediate support,” JPS said in a separate statement.

Paul Abbott, Jamestown School Board president and former officer with the Jamestown Police Department, commended the high school’s resource officer and security staff for quickly taking charge of the fight. He said it’s “always regrettable when tempers flare.”

Abbott also addressed the rumors that spread regarding the fight.

“I am aware that some incorrect information has been circulating on social media,” he said. “We understand the community’s interest if there is an event at the school, but we would ask for patience so that we can put out a statement that is responsible and accurate as opposed to rapid. Factual is better than fast.”