HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- Additional security is in place at Varina High School Tuesday after a fight among students kept the school on lockdown for nearly two hours Monday morning. The chaos broke out in a cafeteria just after 8:30 a.m., before classes started.
"We believe there were some incidents from the community over the weekend that kind of manifested themselves into a fight that we saw this morning," Henrico County Schools spokesperson Andy Jenks said.
Cell phone video captured two fights and teachers trying to break it up.
"There was a huge brawl at the mall, got people mad and carried on here," said Varina High School senior Freddy Neshgiwat. "Teachers tackling students, chairs flying and just a huge brawl just madness."
Additional security was present at the school and student movement was restricted once the lockdown was lifted at about 10:30 a.m. Monday.
"It was kind of hectic because I was with another teacher and we went on lockdown, so I had to stay in that class my entire first period and I didn't go to any of my classes almost," said Varina High School junior Erica Carroll. "I felt it was good we had extra police presence just in case more fights broke out."
Henrico County Police are investigating and said charging the fighting students with a crime has not been ruled out. Henrico School officials said they could not comment on the individuals involved, but added they would follow the school system's code of conduct.
"In some cases a fight could lead to suspension and in some extreme examples perhaps a recommendation for expulsion," said Jenks.
According to Henrico County Police, there will be additional officers at the school for the rest of the week.
