A “race-related” brawl allegedly broke out between black and Somali students at a Minneapolis high school, leading to the arrest of at least two adults accused of taking part.
Abreeha Annalisa Smith, 22, and Latoys Renail Milon, 41, were arrested but later released without charge after a fight broke out at St. Louis Park High School in Minnesota on Thursday.
The first fight broke out between a group of black and Somali students, it was said CrimeWatchMinneapolisBut the situation escalated when parents, after becoming aware of the incident, allegedly joined the fight alongside their children.
Latoys' daughter, Sanaiah Milon, claimed she was punched to the ground and kicked by dozens of students on Thursday over what they called “personal arguments.” She denied claims that the fight was racially motivated, although the school is continuing to investigate as such.
A possibly “race-related” brawl broke out between black and Somali students at a Minneapolis high school, leading to the arrest of at least two adults who intervened
At least two adults were arrested after two violent fights occurred at St. Louis Park High School in Minnesota on Thursday
Sanaiah Milon reported that she was punched to the ground and kicked by dozens of students for “personal insult” on Thursday.
Sanaiah said she had had an argument with a Somali student months earlier. A counselor and school administrator intervened at the time and Sanaiah said she believed the problem was resolved.
She was alarmed when other students warned her that she would be “jumped over,” Sanaiah told KARE11 ahead of Thursday's attack.
“And I was beaten. And I was hit again from the other side. Then a student grabbed me by the neck, threw me and we lay on the floor.
“And it was just kicks and punches.” In my head it felt like it went on forever. “I was just scared,” she added.
Videos shared on social media platforms show Sanaiah being thrown to the ground and kicked as she tried to fight back.
She was finally rescued when a teacher pulled her from the crowd and closed a hallway door. She suffered a swollen and bruised eye.
After the fierce fight, classes resumed, but as the final bell rang, the situation escalated as Latoys arrived at the scene accompanied by her older daughter.
The 41-year-old mother said: “All I was thinking about was coming to my daughter.” She needs help. She needs someone.'
In a video capturing the second fight, a boy in a green quilted jacket is seen being thrown to the ground, surrounded by a few people who kick him violently and stroll away.
Latoys Renail Milon, 41, was arrested but later released without being charged with a crime. Her daughter reported that she had been beaten by a group of students earlier that day
Abreeha Annalisa Smith, 22, who had an active arrest warrant at the time, was arrested and released in less than five hours
Sanaiah said, “And I was struck.” And I was struck again from the other side. Then a student grabbed me by the neck, threw me and we lay on the floor.
But as the final bell rang, the situation escalated when Latoys arrived at the scene accompanied by her older daughter
Latoys, who had an arrest warrant for theft of services, was arrested and released in less than five hours.
Smith, the second person taken into custody, was found to have an active arrest warrant for aiding and abetting theft and two other ongoing cases related to theft.
St. Louis police said they believe the two people were “primarily responsible” for the altercation.
Latoys said she has received no explanation from the school about the incident, including details about what sparked the alleged attack.
“Well, how they try to make it look like we're the bad guys.” It had nothing to do with race. I had nothing to do with anything. “I was just trying to get to my daughter to make sure she was OK,” Latoys said.
In a video capturing the second fight, a boy in a green quilted jacket is seen being thrown to the ground, surrounded by a few people who kick him violently and stroll away
The spokesman emphasized that adults who were not employees of the high school were involved in the fight and escalated the situation
Both Sanaiah and her mother denied the fight was related to race, but a school district spokesman said they were investigating “possible racial motivations.”
The high school canceled all classes Friday and remained closed to students, families and the public
Both Sanaiah and her mother denied the argument had anything to do with race, but a school district spokesman said they were investigating “possible racial motives.”
“We are actively gathering information and working closely with law enforcement to understand the full extent of these incidents, including whether or not the incidents were racially motivated,” the school said in a statement.
The high school canceled all classes Friday and remained closed to students, families and the public.
The spokesman emphasized that adults who were not employees of the high school were involved in the fight and escalated the situation.
They also announced that both staff and students sustained injuries, including abrasions and bruises, and were evaluated by the school nurse.
“There is currently no confirmation of the involvement of weapons in either clash,” the spokesman said.
They also said additional safety measures will be in place when students return to school next week.
But Sanaiah said she will never return.
She said St. Louis Park High School is no longer a safe place for her. “Not after what happened yesterday,” she added.