OWATONNA, Minn. — Two students have been criminally charged following a fight at Owatonna High School Monday that officials say was sparked by inappropriate and racially charged social media posts.
One student was charged by juvenile delinquency petition with felony 4th Degree Assault of a peace officer resulting in demonstrable bodily harm, misdemeanor assault in the fifth degree, and obstructing legal process.
The second student was charged with gross misdemeanor 4th Degree Assault of a peace officer and misdemeanor obstruction of the legal process.
Neither have been named as they are juveniles.
Owatonna police say officers responded to a "reported fight" at about 11:45 a.m. Monday. When they arrived they found a large group of students shouting and being disruptive in the commons area and gymnasium." The alleged assaults took place as officers attempted to break up the altercation.
District officials ordered that the high school be placed on lockdown until the situation cooled down.
Police say that initial reports indicate some white students posted "racist comments on social media directed towards our black students." They also say social media posts about weapons being involved are incorrect.
Investigators and school officials say they are working closely together on this ongoing investigation, and call it a learning situation.
“They were offensive comments and you know we’re constantly trying to find ways to help our students monitor themselves. It’s all of our jobs,” Owatonna Public Schools Superintendent Jeff Elstad told KTTC Television.
“One thing I always urge parents to do is tonight is a great opportunity for you to reflect and check in on your students or your kids social media because their help with this is golden. Trying to educate kids is not just a school district job, it’s all of our jobs.”
In a release to the media Owatonna Police say those following the story on social media should be mindful that "videos posted to social media sites are a very small snapshot of the events that took place and do not capture a complete picture of the events that occurred."
"We met with a group of students on Monday morning to kind of start 'how are we going to move through this? How are we going to address this?'" said Superintendent of Owatonna Public Schools, Jeff Elstad, "And then, unfortunately, some other social media pieces came out just before lunch on Monday to students that were already angry and fearful about this, and that just exacerbated their anger and fear."
The district says extra police were at the school Monday as a precaution. They also limited entrances to the building and searched students' bags before they walked in.
Elstad says the incident Monday brought up the need to have important conversations about race.
"We have to get better. I mean, we talk a lot about how we want to work together, but action has to take place," he said.
Elstad says he wants to hear from students and parents about what can be done.
Owatonna's Human Rights Commission says they plan to hold a community meeting in the coming days to give people a chance to talk about what happened. A date and time for that meeting has yet to be set.
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