Pepper spray used to break up fight at Las Vegas’ Western High

Clark County School District police used pepper spray to break up a fight Tuesday at Western High School.

The fight broke out just before noon at the school at 4601 W. Bonanza Road in Las Vegas, and involved between 12 and 13 male students, school police Capt. Ken Young said. Six of the students were issued citations for disturbance.

Two campus officers responded to the scene initially and Young wasn’t immediately sure whether both officers used pepper spray. Other district officers arrived after the initial confrontation.

Young said anytime an officer uses force, like pepper spray, it’s reviewed.

“It does not appear that there’s anything that’s out of line, just from the initial appearance,” Young said.

Officers have a number of options available to help break up a fight, including oral commands, before resorting to force, Young said.

This is the second time school police have used pepper spray this year to help break up a fight. In September, officers deployed pepper spray after a football game between Canyon Springs and Basic high schools.

Pioneers and Wolves players started fighting immediately after the game near Basic’s sideline and fought for about 30 seconds before police intervened.

Contact Meghin Delaney at mdelaney@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0281. Follow @MeghinDelaney on Twitter.