CHICAGO – Eight students at a Chicago elementary school were arrested after they were involved in a fight with security guards operating the campus’ metal detection machine.

At approximately 9 a.m. on Jan. 23 at Wentworth Elementary, one of the boys involved in the incident was carrying an object that tripped the metal detector. The object has yet to be identified.

According to district officials, this led to an altercation between the student and the officer operating the machine. Other security guards then came to break up the fight. Other students then became involved until Chicago police had to be called in to break up the fight.

Four boys and four girls in the 6th, 7th and 8th grades were arrested, but police have not charged them with any crime. Although one student was taken to the hospital for asthma complications, no injuries resulted from the fracas.

Some parents were angered by how the security guards handled the incident. Officials told them to put their complaints in writing, and they will be reviewed by the district’s Bureau of Safety and Security.

The school uses metal detection machines randomly, approximately 10-15 times per month.

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