FERN ROCK, Pa.—As many as eight teenagers attacked approximately 50 fourth- and fifth-graders with aluminum and wooden bats at Julia Ward Howe Academic Plus Elementary April 30.
The attack occurred shortly before 1 p.m. during the elementary school students’ recess time, reports Philly.com. The teens hit and injured at least 10 boys. Two of the victims had been taken to the hospital by their parents. Students said one of the boys had been hit in the head and another in the face.
At least three of the suspects, whose names were not provided, were arrested. The assailants are reportedly students at nearby Martin Luther King High School.
Police did not provide a motive for the attack. However, neighborhood residents said word had spread that the attack was in retaliation for a previous fight between a teenage girl who has a brother who attends Howe and another girl who lives near the high school.
Some parents questioned if the elementary school has enough security during recess. School officials said two adult women were monitoring the students at the time of the attack. One tried to get all the students inside the school, while the other chased the suspects away.
As a precaution, administrators have suspended recess for a few days.
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