4 students arrested after fight at JCM

JACKSON, Tenn. — Dozens of law enforcement vehicles swarmed Jackson Central-Merry High School and four students were taken into custody after a Wednesday afternoon fight.

“Our officers came over and tried to restore order, and a total of four individuals were arrested for disorderly conduct at this time,” said Madison County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Tom Mapes.

Mapes said the incident began with two male students fighting in the cafeteria. Around that time, someone pulled a fire alarm inside the school and students were evacuated. The Jackson-Madison County School System confirms the entire building was evacuated as a precaution.

When the students were outside, the district said another fight broke out in the courtyard. Mapes says the sheriff’s office got the call around 12:40 p.m.

One of the students involved in the fight in the cafeteria reportedly sustained minor injuries to his face. Mapes said no officers were injured during their response and described the outside fight as mostly just pushing and shoving.

“It wasn’t widespread,” Mapes said. “It wasn’t massive. It was just young people scuffling.”

The students who were arrested were all juvenile males, according to Mapes, and two were 17, one 16 and the other 15. They all have been released to their parents.

Mapes said no weapons or drugs were found at the school. Students said off camera they felt the response by officers was excessive. According to Mapes, SWAT members were there only because they were training nearby and heard the call.

“It probably looked more difficult than it was,” Mapes said. “But better to be protective and make sure that things are under control than not have enough force.”

All other students were returned to class or chose to leave school early with their parents, according to a statement from the school system.

Jackson police and deputies with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office responded to the school.