Richmond Hill H.S. Seniors Riot

 

By Liz Goff
Ten Richmond Hill H.S. students were arrested last Friday when hundreds of students incited a riot that left baby powder, oil, barbeque sauce, eggs, paint, food, shaving cream and anything else students got their hands on all over the walls and floors of the school’s second floor, police sources said.

The chaos and mayhem were part of a planned Senior Day prank that was organized by students via the Internet. “They wanted to make sure to get the word out to everyone so the pranks would make it a day to remember,” sources said.

Organizers provided plans for the chaos, including information on floors and entrances that would lack security at 9:30 a.m., the time the mayhem erupted. Plotters even sent word out to students who were unwilling to participate in the pranks to stay out of the school hallways during third period.

As the mayhem erupted, students threw anything they brought from home into the hallway, causing teachers and students to panic.

“It was supposed to be a powder fight, but the seniors went crazy,” said a 16-year-old student who was caught up in the madness. “They grabbed kids and tried to kick them out of the building. They were throwing rice and mushy bananas, and shooting Silly String at everyone in their eyes and faces,” the student said. “They went nuts. They broke windows and damaged computers. It was crazy.”

Someone pulled a fire alarm during the chaos, bringing police and firefighters to the school, where things were “totally out of control”, police sources said.

School administrators put the school in lockdown and called 911 shortly after the mayhem erupted. That didn’t stop the seniors from wrecking the second floor and the school cafeteria, where a Senior Breakfast was in progress, sources said.

The 10 students arrested were charged with criminal mischief and disorderly conduct. Parents were called to the school to take other students home after the school was closed early, police said.

A Department of Education (DOE) spokesperson said the food fight left quite a mess at the school, but there was no permanent damage caused by the students.

“School administrators do not see this as a prank,” the spokesperson said. “They are taking it very seriously and are considering what type of disciplinary action they will take.”
School administrators did not return calls for comment.