32 Students and Faculty Hospitalized After Pepper Spray Used to Break Up Wild Brawl at Florida High School

By Ronald Rodriguez Last updated Sep 19, 2025

Lake Worth, FL – More than 30 students and faculty members at Lake Worth High School were rushed to the hospital on Thursday after a school safety officer deployed pepper spray in an attempt to break up a chaotic brawl on campus. The incident unfolded around noon, leading to a large-scale emergency response and multiple hospitalizations.

The pepper spray, intended to stop the out-of-control fight, inadvertently affected over three dozen individuals, including both students and educators, according to officials.

How the Incident Unfolded

The chaotic fight broke out on campus at approximately midday. In an effort to restore order, a school safety officer released pepper spray, which unfortunately impacted not only the participants of the altercation but also bystanders and faculty.

32 people were transported to four nearby hospitals for treatment of pepper spray exposure and other potential injuries.
An additional 10 to 12 individuals received treatment on-site but did not require hospitalization.
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue responded promptly to the scene, initially estimating that 20 to 30 people were treated and transported.
The disruption continued for hours, with the scene not cleared until about 3 p.m.

School Officials Respond and Address Consequences

Lake Worth High School Principal Elena Villani released a statement underlining the seriousness of the altercation and the school’s zero tolerance policy for physical aggression. She emphasized that the students involved will face disciplinary actions in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.

“I want to take this opportunity to emphasize that physical altercations are a serious violation of the Student Code of Conduct. The students involved are now facing disciplinary consequences. Fighting or any form of physical aggression is not tolerated at school or any School District property,” Villani stated.

As of now, the exact cause and location of the fight on campus remain unclear.

Background on Lake Worth High School

Located in the heart of Palm Beach, Lake Worth High School serves roughly 2,000 students. The school has previously been in the news, not only for behavioral issues among students but also staff-related controversies.

In 2023, an AP course instructor was dismissed after making inappropriate remarks comparing students’ skin tones to coffee roasts.
The incident highlighted ongoing challenges in fostering a positive and inclusive school environment.

For further details and context, refer to the full report by The New York Post.

Looking Ahead: Ensuring Safety and Discipline

The school district is committed to maintaining safety and discipline to prevent such disruptive incidents in the future. With strict enforcement of consequences and ongoing community engagement, officials aim to restore a safe learning environment for all students and faculty.

Increased vigilance by school safety officers and campus security.
Educational programs addressing conflict resolution and behavior management.
Continued communication with parents and community stakeholders.

What do you think about this incident? Have you or someone you know experienced similar situations at school? Share your thoughts in the comments below!