Teen dies following assault at Delaware high school
WILMINGTON, Del. --A 16-year-old sophomore died Thursday following a fight in a Delaware high school girl's restroom, city officials said.
The fight involved multiple people at Howard High School of Technology, said Alexandra Coppadge, a spokeswoman for Wilmington Mayor Dennis Williams.
Officers were called to the school as students were arriving for the day and the girl was flown to A.I. DuPont Children's Hospital in critical condition, police spokeswoman Sgt. Andrea Janvier said. She said police were expected to be at the school for several hours.
News media outlets quoted Police Chief Bobby Cummings as saying that two female students were taken to police headquarters for questioning. Howard isn't known as a violent school and Cummings said he did not know of any other problems in recent days.
Police said that they had at least two people that they were questioning, and as of Thursday afternoon, they were still conducting interviews, reports CBS Philly.
No weapons were recovered, said Wilmington Police Department Chief Bobby.
"There were a few girls that were involved and at this time, our police department is investigating the incident. We have people that we're speaking with," said Cummings.
A Wilmington city councilwoman who says she knows the 16-year-old girl who died after a fight broke out in a high school restroom told the Associated Press that her family is asking for calm.
Sherry Dorsey Walker says she has known the victim and her family for quite some time and had been asked by the family to speak on their behalf.
Dorsey Walker says the family is asking for spiritual healing in the community and no retaliation. She says they're also "asking people to just be calm and pray for them."
The councilwoman described the victim as "a wonderful human being," adding that "her loss is a big void, not just in the family."
Dorsey Walker would not confirm the victim's name.
State agencies will help provide support for those affected by the tragedy, Gov. Jack Markell said in a statement.
Students at the school were dismissed Thursday and officials had not determined yet whether classes would be held Friday, media outlets reported.
A mayoral debate on public safety scheduled to take place at the school Thursday night has been canceled.
"My heart bleeds for the family," Mayor Dennis Williams told a news conference.