A cell phone video of a fight between two students at a Philadelphia Catholic school is making the rounds on the Internet. The video shows two sophomore girls at Archbishop Ryan High School fighting in the school’s cafeteria. The fight lasted for four minutes before another student stepped in to stop it. As officials continue to investigate, many are wondering why no school employees stepped in to stop the fight.
The mother of one of the girls involved in the fight spoke exclusively to NBC10. The woman says that while she met with administrators, she doesn’t believe the school did enough to resolve the back and forth bullying that she says led to the scuffle. The woman’s daughter is now suspended along with the other girl involved.
“What do you say to those people out there who think that your daughter should take responsibility for her actions?” asked NBC10’s Rosemary Connors.
“As far as her taking responsibility for her actions, she is,” said the woman. “She’s being punished and she didn’t cause the situation.”
NBC10 also spoke with Tom Evans, a proud alum of Archbishop Ryan and one of the many who watched the video online. Evans wonders where the teachers and supervisors were during the fight.
“There was nobody there,” said Evans. “I’m looking at the tape, nobody there. No teachers, no principals, nothing. That went on for four minutes. The fight should have never happened.”
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia sent the following message to NBC10:
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The situation should never have escalated to the level it did. The entire incident is currently under investigation. Based on the findings of that investigation, appropriate action will be taken to be sure that similar situations do not occur.
“Kids are kids,” said Evans. “They’re going to fight. But it’s how you react and respond to those fights that matters.”
