Witnesses and USD 259 speak out after post-graduation fight at Century II
By Abby Wray
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WICHITA, Kansas (KAKE) — Outside of Century II, a fight broke out Tuesday night, after the Chester Lewis Learning Academy graduation and police say other smaller skirmishes also happened that evening, which were quickly resolved by officers on scene.
“It seemed like everyone was having a good time… and then all of a sudden it just went south,” said Elizabeth Bock, a mom who witnessed the fight.
Bock was excited to see her daughter graduate, but she was not expecting a fight to break out just outside of the building immediately after the ceremony, sparking a large police presence.
“Next thing I know, we’re all running and trying to catch our breath and coughing and eyes watering and it was like, wow, that is not what I was expecting,” said Bock.
Bock was right there when police used pepper spray near the crowd, she says she’s still coughing on Wednesday.
Witnesses said the pepper spray impacted dozens of graduation attendees in addition to the suspects.
“This was the first graduation I’ve attended where this was an issue,” said Bock.
Century II said on social media it was students who were fighting, but police did not confirm that information on Wednesday.
Police say officers had to use a taser to take down and arrest a suspect. WPD also says that after the initial fight, multiple skirmishes happened.
“Anytime you have a large number of people that get together, you have the opportunity for people who don’t get along,” said Terri Moses, the director of safety and security at Wichita Public Schools.
Moses says all graduations are staffed with police, security, and metal detectors.
“Anybody entering our events does have to go through a scanner to make sure no weapons are involved,” said Moses.
Police said Wednesday, “Those who participated in the fight will be held accountable.”
“Keep your family close and the moment you hear anything that doesn’t sound right, get away, get to safety,” said Bock after the experience.
Police say they’re still looking for other people involved in last night’s fights. Wichita Public School officials say they debrief after each large event they host, so they can always be better prepared for the next.
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