Ansonia Students Arrested After Fight At School

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Ansonia High School

ANSONIA Ten Ansonia High School students were arrested after a fight involving two groups of girls at the school Wednesday morning.

Ansonia Police Lt. Patrick Lynch said none of the students were injured seriously in the fight, which broke out about 7:10 a.m. outside the school’s cafeteria.

Injuries consisted mostly of scratches,” Lynch said.

Lynch said Wednesday’s fight was a continuation of feud between two different groups of female students at the school that has been going on pretty much all school year.”

Prior to this we’ve had three other incidents since February where we’ve made nine arrests,” he said.

We can’t really put a reason to it other than just there’s just something these girls don’t like about each other,” Lynch said. There’s basically two groups and various members within the groups that have a problem with members of the other group.”

He said some of the girls in each group grew up in Bridgeport and knew each other before moving to Ansonia, but that a specific reason for Wednesday’s fight is unclear.

Whatever the reason for it today we’re not really sure,” Lynch said. 

Nine female students at the school were charged with third-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace in connection with Wednesday’s altercation.

Two were charged as adults — sisters Nychelle and Emony Hamilton, who are 18 and 19 years old, respectively. They were released on promises to appear at Superior Court in Derby June 8.

The rest — three 14-year-olds, two 15-year-olds, a 16-year-old, and a 17-year-old — were referred to juvenile court, the proceedings of which are secret. 

Also charged was a 15-year-old male student who was recording the fight on video and, when told by a teacher not to, began yelling and cursing at her, according to Lynch. He was also referred to juvenile court.

The students charged as juveniles were released to parents or guardians, Lynch said.

In a prepared statement, Interim High School Principal Sara Crooks and Interim Assistant Principal Tom Brockett said the students have been suspended and could face further discipline.

They praised police, specifically School Resource Officer Mike Barry, and several teachers who immediately stepped in to break up the altercation and police were called.”

In the statement, Superintendent Carol Merlone said this type of behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” thanking police for taking quick action.

Lynch said he’d speak with Barry to see if a larger police presence is needed at the high school for the rest of the school year.

He said Barry has tried several times to mediate disputes between the two groups of students by bringing the students together and speaking separately with their parents, but to no avail.

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