DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A chaotic classroom fight at Druid Hills High School is raising new concerns among students and parents after video showed chairs being thrown, laptops smashed, and at least one student injured.
The incident happened Wednesday inside a classroom and was captured on video by students.
The footage appears to show a fight between multiple students.
A teacher dressed in pink can be seen trying to break up the altercation before a female student climbs onto a desk and begins throwing laptops and other classroom items.
Student Cameron Hopkins said the video was disturbing, but not surprising.
“I was a little bit shocked,” Hopkins said.
Hopkins told Channel 2’s Tyisha Fernandes that fights have become a recurring problem at the school.
“I’m kind of used to it at this point, and it’s disturbing,” he said.
When asked whether he believed those involved faced meaningful consequences, Hopkins responded, “Not enough.”
Fernandes also showed the video to a parent who said he knew an incident had occurred after receiving a letter from the principal, but did not realize the fight had escalated to this level.
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“They need some help or something, security or a better plan to deal with somebody like that,” the parent said.
The video shows a security officer entering the classroom, but it does not appear to show anyone physically stopping students from throwing chairs and laptops.
A staff member who spoke with Fernandes on the condition of anonymity said some employees are hesitant to physically intervene during fights because they fear potential legal consequences.
“If this is a good school, or above average like they say, what would happen at another school in DeKalb with a worse reputation?” the parent said.
Several students who spoke with Fernandes off camera said they are unsure why so many fights are occurring at the school, but some believe a lack of meaningful punishment may be contributing to the problem.
A spokesperson for the DeKalb County School District declined to discuss specific disciplinary actions taken against the students involved.
Students interviewed by Fernandes questioned whether current disciplinary measures are enough to prevent future incidents and keep classrooms safe.