Student Hospitalized After Fight Near Santa Monica High School

SANTA MONICA, CA — A student on Monday was sent to the hospital after a fight broke out near Santa Monica High School, authorities said.

The Santa Monica Police Department responded to a fight involving four students around 3:45 p.m. in an alley near Santa Monica High School, according to Lt. Rudy Flores, public information officer for SMPD.

Only one student remained in the alley when police arrived, Flores said. The student had bruising, a cut on their lip and had potentially been kicked in the head, Flores said. The student was sent to the hospital and discharged shortly after with no serious injuries, Flores said.

One of the involved students was an Olympic High School student, one attends Santa Monica High School and two others were not Santa Monica High School students, according to Santa Monica High School Principal Marae Cruce. It was not clear where the other two attended school.

"It is important to remember that we are in this together and need your support sharing with your student the importance of talking through conflicts," Cruce said in an email to parents. "We have a process in place that encourages our students to use Restorative Practices to resolve conflicts amongst students and staff. Our school community is disappointed that a small group of our students have continued to embrace what they are seeing amongst adults on social media and in real-time."

Santa Monica police opened an investigation into the fight and were prepared to make any appropriate arrests, Flores said.

Witnesses and students videotaped the fight, according to the Santa Monica Daily Press.

"It is also important that your students do not encourage, promote, record for fun or cheer on conflicts that occur during or after school, on campus or off campus," Cruce said. "These are not laughing or celebratory events, and should not be encouraged at any time."

Students are encouraged to call the police, inform an adult or report anonymously to wetip.com if they see a fight break out, Cruce said.

Another student was injured in a fight on the first day of school at Santa Monica High School. The student had a face laceration after being slashed by an unknown sharp object, authorities said.