10 Students Arrested After Food Fight at Lovejoy High School

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. -- Clayton County police say they had to pepper spray two students after a wild food fight at Lovejoy High School Tuesday.

Officers arrested nine students in connection with the incident. Another student was arrested after officers said he was gambling on campus and had a weapon.

Some students told Channel 2's GA Daily News that the chaos doesn't surprise them.

"School's crazy. It's Lovejoy," freshman Angel Aviles said. Other students said it was a wild and crazy day at the school. "Everything just happened today. We've been on like three lockdowns the entire day," sophomore Audrey Metcalf said.

Police said the arrests came after a lunchtime food fight got out of control.

Metcalf said it started when someone threw an apple, then everybody started tossing their lunch. She said police quickly arrived.

"They told people that if they throw anything else, they're gonna get arrested and some people started throwing stuff at the cops," she said.

Police moved in and arrested seven students.

As they tried to arrest an eighth student, 18-year-old Jefferson Rivera, officers said 17-year-old Eric Fuentes jumped on the officer's back. "The officer was able to get him off his back," Officer John Schneller said.

Police said they pepper sprayed both students to get them under control.

Before the food fight, officers arrested a student who had a knife for gambling and having a weapon on campus.

Some students said there was no need for the chaos that disrupted their school day.

"People were immature. They're immature," Metcalf said.

"When you do stupid stuff, you get consequences with it," said Aviles.

Rivera and Fuentes charges of battery on a police officer. Most of the students arrested face disrupting a public school, obstruction of an officer and disorderly conduct charges.

School Board member Jesse Goree said she is sorry this type of behavior took place and the school district tries to make sure schools are safe and orderly.