Police arrest ‘multiple’ students at Washington High School

CEDAR RAPIDS - Police arrested multiple students - one who had a pellet gun in his backpack, and several others involved in an unrelated fight - at Washington High School on Wednesday afternoon.

Cedar Rapids Police evacuated a classroom where a student was deemed a potential threat, then police detained, searched and arrested the student, according to an email to parents from Principal John Cline.

The 16-year-old male student had a pellet gun in his backpack, Cedar Rapids Police Lt. Matt Welsh said, and was charged with carrying a weapon.

Separately, several students were involved in a fight that broke out in the school's foyer shortly after school ended.

Police officers already were on-site, Cline said, and intervened 'immediately.”

Police arrested three female students, ages 14, 15 and 16, Welsh said. They all were charged with disorderly conduct, and the 16-year-old was additionally charged with interference with official acts.

Additional arrests are likely, police spokesman Greg Buelow said Thursday, as the physical altercation occurred among several students.

No students required medical attention, Cline said in the email.

Many students witnessed the fight in the foyer because it took place in a congested area as students left for the day, Cline said. Staff members helped to clear the area and keep students safe, he said.

'We wanted to assure students and families that CRPD, administration, and staff quickly responded and detained those who were involved with the incident,” Cline said.

A group of Washington High School students recently launched a schoolwide campaign against violence among their peers following what an administrator called an uptick in fights.