GROVES — No one was seriously injured when a student at Groves Middle School sprayed pepper spray in a classroom Friday morning.
The entire classroom was evacuated and medics treated several students and teachers on the scene for pepper spray exposure according to the Groves Fire Department.
12-year-old Fernando Guevara was in the classroom when the spray was dispatched.
"We didn't smell it until the teachers came in here, started yelling at us because, saying who sprayed it," said Guervara.
He said they were then removed from their classroom and taken outside.
"We went outside to take a breath, and went to get water and then went to a different classroom for a bit," Said Guervara.
Guervara's mother said parents were not informed of the incident. When she arrived at the school to pick up Fernando and saw the firetrucks and ambulances, she was afraid of what might have happened.
Luckily Guervera was not injured in the incident.
Groves Police Chief Kirk Rice said the student that discharged the spray claimed it was an accident.
"EMS was contacted and treated approximately 13 children at the scene," said Rice.
No students were transported to the hospital. Rice said the juvenile was cited and will have to appear in court with a parent. The student will attend alternative school for the remainder of the summer school year.
EMS on the scene said pepper spray is essentially mobilized peppers. While it may cause irritation, in most cases it will not cause serious harm.
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In April 2018 13 students at Beaumont ISD's Pathways Alternative Learning Center were treated for pepper spray exposure after a principal allegedly used pepper spray to break up a large fight inside the school.
No students in that incident were transported to the hospital.