JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Mandarin High School student and a student from Ed White High School are facing charges of aggravated battery following their violent confrontation with another Mandarin student according to a message to parents from the school’s principal.
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Action News Jax obtained the JSO police report from the fight on Mandarins' campus, saying that it was retaliation from a previous fight and is gang-related according to police.
“Any gang activity is concerning,” says Duval County School Board Member Melody Bolduc, who is also a Mandarin parent. “We have had in the past denials by district staff in the previous administration that there was any gang activity in our schools now that it’s confirmed by a police report it’s very eye-opening,” said Bolduc. “On the district level, I have requested a review of our policies and practices for campus entry.”
Mandarin Principal Sara Bravo said weapons were not used, but “it was still appalling, and behavior of this nature should never be tolerated at our school or any school in the district.”
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Read the full message from Bravo below:
“This is Principal Bravo. Unfortunately, I need to make you aware of the arrest of a Mandarin High School student yesterday, and the arrest of a student from another school today, following an unacceptable act of violence that took place on our campus earlier this week.
“Both of these students are facing charges of aggravated battery following their violent confrontation with another Mandarin High School student. Along with criminal charges, we are pursuing strong school disciplinary action. Please note that per our student code of conduct, this level of violence involves a recommendation for expulsion. We are still working with police to investigate how this incident unfolded on our campus, but according to the police report, it appears to be related to an ongoing dispute between the individuals involved. While this incident did not involve the use of weapons, it was still appalling, and behavior of this nature should never be tolerated at our school or any school in the district. I am very disappointed to end this week with this news, but I felt it was important you were made aware and heard it directly from me.
“As always, don’t ever hesitate to reach out to me here at the school if you have any questions. Thank you for listening to this message and I wish you a safe and restful weekend.”
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