California principal body-slammed in student fight that results in 3 arrests

Three Sacramento high school students were taken to juvenile hall after a wild fight in which the school’s principal was body-slammed.

The chaotic scene played out Monday during lunch time on the South area campus at Florin High School.

A fight broke out, drawing a school resource police officer, a school official and Principal Don Ross. Students gathered around, at least one recording the melee on a cellphone, as officials tried to break up the fight.

After trying to restrain a tall student, Ross was thrown to the floor. Undeterred, Ross got back up and tried to prevent the student from fighting again.

The fight, including the efforts of Ross, who officials said was not badly hurt during the altercation, was posted on YouTube.

Sacramento County Sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Tony Turnbull said that two 15 year olds and a 13 year old were arrested. Two were charged with suspicion of battery on school staff causing injury and the third was arrested for making threats toward other students and law enforcement.

Elk Grove Unified School District spokeswoman Xanthi Pinkerton said the altercation stemmed from a disagreement in the personal lives of the students. The beef between them was brought to school and got out of hand.

The students in the fight made bad decisions and the student who took video of the scuffle did the wrong thing, said Pinkerton.

“It is a bit disappointing to us that students chose to video it and post it online,” said Pinkerton. “We try to teach our students to not just stand by and watch. Discourage it and walk away or talk to a school official.”

This story was originally published October 28, 2015 at 1:00 PM with the headline "California principal body-slammed in student fight that results in 3 arrests."