Nearly a dozen fights broke out in one day at a Maryland high school, prompting an internal investigation months after the school's principal was placed on leave.
The series of altercations took place Tuesday at Charles Herbert Flowers High School, just over two months after Prince George's County Public Schools announced that Dr. Gorman Brown would be placed on administrative leave.
By the end of the day, school officials counted the number of skirmishes at 10 — one of which was filmed and broke out in the high school hallway and is currently circulating on the Internet.
The latest row, according to the official, came when students from a nearby school stormed the grounds and apparently took advantage of the unrest during the day.
In a letter to parents, administrators said “a concerning series of multiple altercations” occurred and would not say whether anyone was injured.
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The altercations took place Tuesday at Charles Herbert Flowers High School, several of which were filmed
It comes just over two months after Prince George's County Public Schools announced that principal Dr. Gorman Brown would be placed on administrative leave, much to the chagrin of several students.
The attacks came hours after students still angry about Brown's secret expulsion complained to local reporters about his suspension, citing his large and responsible personality on school grounds.
So, they said, his absence left a noticeable void – a void that paved the way for the ten physical conflicts that took place the next day.
“The safety of students and staff is our top priority,” continues deputy director Diedra Smalis Screws.
“The school board is communicating with the families of the individuals involved and we assure you that we are taking action to ensure safety at our school.”
The correspondence further stated that while school personnel “understand that conflict may arise, they must emphasize the importance of resolving disputes in a constructive manner.”
“We believe in fostering a positive and respectful school environment,” Screws continued, “and such behavior will not be tolerated nor does it reflect the values we want to instill in our students.”
“Counselors are available to speak with students to help them with effective communication and problem-solving skills,” she added, as staffers continue to investigate what sparked the many fights.
By the end of the day, school officials counted the number of scuffles at 10 — one of which was filmed and broke out in the high school hallway and is currently circulating on the Internet.
The attacks came hours after students still angry about Brown's secret expulsion complained to local reporters about his suspension, citing his large and responsible personality on school grounds.
“Additionally, we encourage open communication between parents, teachers and students to create a support network,” Screws added, a day after Sydnee Assan and a number of others expressed their disgust at the current state of the school following the dismissal of Brown.
Assan told ABC7 News about Brown's notable absence: “We don't have the person we look up to the most. We don't have a director at the moment.'
Fellow student Takeisha Bowens, meanwhile, pointed out that school administrators have yet to provide a reason for Brown's pseudo-dismissal.
'Nobody told us why Dr. Brown was removed and no details were required, he just suddenly wasn't there anymore,” Bowens said. “We should have been notified before any questions were asked.”
As of Wednesday, Brown's departure remains unexplained.
While no reason was publicly given, sources told ABC7 it had to do with the way a complaint against a teacher was handled more than a year ago.
DailyMail.com has reached out to Prince George's County Public Schools for comment on the status of Brown's suspension.
It is not the first time Brown has been suddenly suspended since taking over as principal in 2012, with the principal being removed just over four years ago after a video showed him throwing punches at a student.
The clip, also filmed in the hallways of Charles Herbert Flowers High, shows Brown throwing punches at a student who minutes earlier allegedly attacked a teacher in a classroom.
It's not the first time Brown has been suddenly suspended since taking over as principal in 2012, with the principal fired just over four years ago after a video showed him throwing punches at a student.
The clip, also filmed in the hallways of Charles Herbert Flowers High, shows Brown throwing punches at a student who allegedly attacked a teacher in a classroom minutes earlier.
The scuffle was eventually stopped by a school employee, who used foam pepper spray to subdue the student.
Brown – a large, athletic man who towered over most of his students – was exonerated by an investigation.
Despite his past, several students were outraged at his expulsion.
That disgust was expressed at a heated town hall with Superintendent Millard House II, where hundreds of Flowers High students and parents demanded not only Brown's reinstatement, but answers.
“You don't have to share the details, but can you tell us what the accusation is? Is there any misconduct? Is it…I don't know what's going on with the person? We have absolutely no idea about it and that breeds mistrust,” said Yvette Haley.
That disgust was expressed at a heated town hall with Superintendent Millard House II, where hundreds of Flowers High students and parents not only demanded Brown be reinstated, but responded.
In response, school officials said they can assure “parents that the school system is committed to resolving this personnel matter and will provide updates as soon as we are able to do so.”
Brown — a large, athletic man who towers over most of his students — was suspended in October, but the reason has not been disclosed.
House would only say that she can assure 'parents' that the school system is committed to resolving this personnel matter and will provide updates as soon as we are able to do so.”
As of Wednesday — a day after Tuesday's brawl — the case remains unresolved and the district has not released any updates.
A few days after the town hall, a walkout occurred during school hours, with hundreds of the more than 2,000 Flowers High students participating around 9 a.m.
After the incidents Tuesday, Agnes Kallon, a mother of a Flowers student, told DCNow that with or without Brown, the school needs to get its act together.
“(I'm) sad and emotionally distraught because I don't want my child to get involved or even be around,” Kallon said.
“What if someone ends up in the hospital or gets shot or killed? And you think as a parent you're at work and your child is safe, but the next thing you know you get a phone call saying, “your child is in the hospital.” It's really worrying.'
A student who witnessed some fights said: The guards were everywhere. For example, every time there was a fight, there was a guard there to break it up, next to a few of them.”
Screws said Tuesday that a school investigation into the fighting is still ongoing. No updates have been released since Wednesday.