At least a hundred students were involved in a huge altercation at Antoine-Brossard high school, on the South Shore of Montreal, Friday afternoon. One person was hospitalized and the police had to intervene to disperse the students.
Officers from the Longueuil Agglomeration Police Service (SPAL) were called to the scene around 2 p.m. They found at least a hundred students, if not more, on the grounds of this secondary school located near Boulevard de Rome and Boulevard de Milan, in Brossard.
The reasons for the gathering and the initial altercation remain to be established, explains François Boucher, spokesperson for the SPAL.
Some students were bothered by a substance that was first suspected to be cayenne pepper, before this hypothesis was ruled out. “It’s possibly a use of perfume,” says Mr. Boucher. Some were inconvenienced in the face and eyes.” A student had to be transported to hospital because of this “liquid”, but his life would not be in danger, said Mr. Boucher.
During the stampede, another student found himself on the ground, he adds.
An investigation was opened to establish whether criminal acts were committed and the chronology that led to the fight. Investigators will collect testimonies and view video recordings taken at the scene.
At the time of writing, no arrests had been made.
SPAL police officers and three agents from the Social and Organizational Support Network (RESO) will remain on site until the end of classes on Friday.