Editor’s note: This story, originally published at 11:29 a.m. on June 7, 2024, was updated at 12:15 p.m. to add that the Secret Service responded to the scene, not the Metropolitan Police Department.
The principal of John F. Kennedy High School in Silver Spring is chastising members of the school community involved in fights that broke out after Wednesday’s commencement at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.
Following the graduation ceremony for Kennedy High School students at the hall at 1776 D St. NW, “several fights” occurred on the steps of the building involving adults and community members as well as recent graduates, Principal Vickie Adamson wrote in a letter to families.
Adamson wrote the ceremony was “beautiful and a wonderful celebration” that turned bitter when the fights began, which resulted in some members of the crowd being pepper sprayed by an adult who was involved in the conflict.
According to the letter, school staff attempted to intervene in “suppressing the conflicts” but were unsuccessful. Adamson also noted that District police were called but were delayed in arriving at the scene most likely due to traffic in the area.
Responding officers separated the conflicting parties and took statements, the letter stated. Adamson wrote that the incident is now a “police matter” and officers would follow up with legal action if merited.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) told MoCo360 Friday afternoon that Secret Service officers responded to the incident, not MPD officers.
The Secret Service did not immediately respond to MoCo360’s inquiries via email and calls Friday afternoon.
“I want to thank everyone who tried to intervene and who made appropriate choices. This incident is an embarrassment to our community and is unfair to our students and their families who were there to celebrate,” Adamson wrote. “These types of altercations are unacceptable and do not represent the values of our larger John F. Kennedy High School community.”
Adamson said students who are found to have been involved in the brawl would receive consequences aligned with the Montgomery County Public Schools Code of Conduct.
She added the school would implement restorative practices with all students with the help of Tarik Harris, a restorative justice instructional specialist with MCPS’ Department of Student Engagement, Behavioral Health and Academics.
“It is extremely unfortunate that the unacceptable actions of a few, and in this case, students and adults, soured the ongoing celebratory environment following the John F. Kennedy High School graduation,” MCPS spokesperson Chris Cram said in an email to MoCo360 Friday.
Adamson said she would reach out to families to share additional resources to encourage the school community to “engage in mediation to better resolve their conflicts.”
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.