Crime & Safety

12-Year-Old Questioned in McLane 'Pepper Spray' Incident

Officials questioned a McLane Middle School student after a chemical agent, believed to be pepper spray or mace, was released in a school hallway May 3. Ninety-three people were in distress, including 37 who were transported for hospital treatment.

 

School buses rolled out about 40 minutes later than usual May 3 at McLane Middle School, where a chemical spray released earlier in the day, in a school hallway, injured 93 people, including 37 who were transported to the hospital with what were reported to be "very minor injuries."

While a press conference was being held outside the school, after the final school buses left for the day, a 12-year-old student was being detained in the principal's office, according to Major Clyden Eisenbergy of the Hillsborugh County Sheriff's Office.

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"At this time we have a 12-year-old student who we're questioning as a suspect in this case," Eisenberg said. "There's evidence to suggest that this 12-year-old student dispersed this agent."

The chemical agent, "more than likely some type of attack repllent," is likely to be "pepper spray" or a "mace-type spray," he added.

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Confirmation is forthcoming as the investigation continues.

McLane's principal, Frank Oliver, said he knows the student suspect.

"I'm not confident in terms of why they did it," Oliver added.

What the youngster, who could face criminal charges, is alleged to have done is release a chemcial agent in a crowded hallway that caused 90 students and three teachers great distress, with "burning eyes, coughing and scratchy throats," said Hillsborough County School District spokesperson Steve Hegarty. Some people, with asthma, had difficulty breathing.

"It's pretty harsh for awhile, pepper spray is supposed to have that effect," Hegarty said. "But it doesn't have a lasting effect."

Injuries "were very minor," he added. "Everyone was in good condition when they were transported."

Hegarty said criminal charges are possible.

According to Eisenberg, 20 law enforcement personnel, along with Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and Hillsborough County School District security, responded to the incident, which occurred at 2:51 p.m.

A first floor of the school had been evacuated for a short period of time and the roads around the school were closed to accommodate for emergency vehicles.

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 An update to this report removes mention of a lockdown and notes that a first foor of the school had been evacuated for a period of time.


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