Nine arrested after report of fight at basketball tournament
Nine juveniles were arrested Friday night after a large disturbance at Gaiser Middle School that was later described by law enforcement officials as “riot conditions.”
According to a news release from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, a 9-1-1 call received at approximately 5:40 p.m. reported that there had been a fight between students who had been in attendance at a basketball tournament. The caller also reported a group of teenagers was interfering with and assaulting school officials who were trying to deal with the incident.
Three deputies arrived and were immediately met with verbal hostilities from the “large group of teenagers” which included racial slurs, cursing, and threats of assault, the release noted.
The group, described as 60 to 70 or more, began to close in around the deputies. Death threats were heard by the deputies.
At that point, the deputies requested immediate cover “due to riot conditions.”
Officers from the sheriff’s office, Washington State Patrol, and Vancouver Police Department responded in an attempt to gain control of the situation. As many as 33 police units were on the scene.
The group continued with its confrontational state. School security indicated to law enforcement that the group no longer had permission to be on campus and wanted the group to be removed.
The group was ordered to leave immediately, and those in the group were warned that failing to leave would result in their arrest. Several juveniles refused the order. One deputy suffered minor injuries during one of the arrests.
In all, nine juveniles were arrested on various charges, including: Trespass, Fail to Disperse, Assault IV, Assault III, Disorderly Conduct, and Resisting Arrest.
Gaiser Middle School is located at 3000 NE 99th Street in Vancouver, and is the Vancouver School District.
