Pepper spray forces brief Islip High class evacuation
A history class at Islip High School was briefly evacuated around 12:45 p.m. Thursday after a 16-year-old girl, showing a can of pepper spray to a classmate, sprayed the substance into the air, according to Suffolk police and a district official.
No injuries were reported. The room was evacuated, and two staff members and five students were taken to a hospital as a precaution, police said.
Students were allowed back after a short while and all students and staff taken to the hospital were later released, school officials said.
The odor was identified as pepper spray, according to a statement from Susan Schnebel, Islip school district superintendent.
The girl, whose name was not released by police, was charged with misdemeanor unlawfully possessing a noxious material, and misdemeanor criminal nuisance. She was also suspended and will be subject to a disciplinary hearing, Schnebel's statement said.
"The safety of our students and staff is a top priority and the district is monitoring the status of the well-being of our students and staff," Schnebel said.
Sarra Sounds Off Ep. 35: EI baseball, girls lacrosse and plays of the week On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," we look at East Islip baseball's inspirational comeback story, Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week and Tess Ferguson breaks down the top defensive players in girls lacrosse.
Sarra Sounds Off Ep. 35: EI baseball, girls lacrosse and plays of the week On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," we look at East Islip baseball's inspirational comeback story, Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week and Tess Ferguson breaks down the top defensive players in girls lacrosse.
