Update: 21 detained after large fight at Sierra High School

UPDATE: Colorado Springs Police detained 21 students following a fight at Sierra High School Wednesday in Colorado Springs.

The students have been questioned and released to their parents.

Police said the incident started between two students in the cafeteria. As the school resource officer tried to break it up, several other fights started and the officer called for backup.

One student suffered a minor lip injury while fighting another student. Several staff and security were struck but not injured during the fight.

Parents Brenda Williams and Cheryl Grimes said their two daughters were targeted in the fight. Williams and Grimes said their daughters were protecting their friend who has been bullied by another girl since middle school.

“Our children shouldn’t have to act as security guards and escort this child from class to class to class for her safety,” said Williams.

Grimes said she has tried relentlessly to get the school district to increase safety measures at the school. She said she has even contacted her city council member. She would like to see an action plan put in place to protect students safety who want to learn.

“I am just waiting on a callback to see who is going to call back and actually stop the violence in this school,” said Grimes. “How many punches do these children have to take before someone does something about it?”

No arrests have been made as police continue to investigate.

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Original Story: Dozens of police officers responded to a report of a disturbance Wednesday at Sierra High School in Colorado Springs.

Police said just before 11 a.m., a fight started in the cafeteria and other fights began inside and outside the school. Fifteen students were detained. No serious injuries were reported.

“Some of the skirmishes did end up (with) some of the students assaulting faculty and staff here at the school,” said Lt. Catherine Buckley. “There are students who are going to be charged with a crime because of their response and involvement in these skirmishes, and their disruption of the school day.”

Buckley said authorities will look at surveillance video to determine the students’ roles in the disturbance.

The reason for the fights is unclear, although some students and parents said tensions have been building since a fight involving three girls earlier this month.

“Some of it is people taking sides and some is gang activity,” said a parent who asked to remain anonymous.

Erica Galena, who was eating lunch when the fighting began, said she tried to stay out of the way.

“It was scary but intense at the same time,” she said. “I knew some of the people fighting. Some of them fight because the others fight.”

Another student, Vanessa Escobedo, scolded her fighting classmates.

“I don’t think people should be coming to school to fight,” she said. “This is about education. People should have their priorities right.”

Many parents went to the school, worried about their kids and seeking more information about the incident. Some students went home for the day and said they weren’t sure if they’d return on Thursday.

No weapons were involved, police said.

Sierra is located in the 2200 block of Jet Wing Drive, near South Academy Boulevard and East Fountain Boulevard, on the southeast side of the city.

The school was placed on lockout.

Harrison School District 2 released this statement just before 1 p.m. Wednesday:

“The disturbance involving students at Sierra High School is stable. The students are safe. The school will remain on lockout, but classes are normal. Dismissal will occur at regular time. CSPD is investigating. We will provide more information later as it becomes available.”