Six People Arrested in Fight at Taft (DLC)

(Ferndale Police Lt. William Wilson, Oct 25 2012)

On 10/24/12 at about 1:20 p.m., six students were arrested at Taft Adult Education Center (Digital Learning Center) for their involvement in a large fight that took place inside of the school building.

Two Ferndale School Liaison Officers, several Ferndale patrol officers and detectives, and Hazel Park officers responded to the scene .

The incident started earlier in the day 10:25 a.m. when the Ferndale Liaison Officer assigned to Taft School had received information from the Assistant Principal that he had ejected 4 students. The Assistant Principal identified and pointed out these students and said that they were trying to start a fight with another student inside. The students identified were members of the street gang “Band Crew.”

The Liaison officer felt that there may be trouble later in the afternoon and arranged for extra officers to be in the area. At about 1:20 p.m. a disturbance began near the entrance doors of the school. The Liaison officer tried to calm the crowd, but a student charged through him (knocking the officer down) and began fighting with another student. The incident turned into a large fight involving several students. Officers had to subdue one student by use of a TASER. Eventually six people were arrested for their involvement in the incident. Five of the males (three 18 years old, two 17 years old) are still in custody and a female (18) has been released pending further investigation.

The matter is being presented to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

Arraignments will likely occur this afternoon.