Detective Sergeant James Tilton reported that Fifth Precinct police officers responded to a disturbance at the school and needed assistance from other precincts to quell the situation.
Nine of those arrested were juveniles and each was charged with first-degree riot and resisting arrest, police reported. Two of the juveniles were also charged with second-degree assault for biting Fifth Precinct police officers Frank Leckler and John Bailey. The officers suffered bite wounds to their right, middle fingers, police said.
The four adults, Dashea Pringle, 16, Talasia Grate, 16, Dacia McKenzie, 17, and Marilin Tovar, 16, all residing at the school, were each charged with first-degree riot and resisting arrest, police said.
According to police, the incident began as a fight between two residents and quickly escalated. A 51-year-old female counselor entered the dormitory where the fight was occurring to investigate the situation. She encountered numerous residents, who, upon seeing her enter, knocked her to the floor, police said. The counselor was punched repeatedly in her face. Also, police said the arrestees caused damage to doors, windows, three sections of a fence, and a five-by-four-foot section of protective screen during the altercation.
Police were notified by other officials at the school. According to the police report, officers who responded to the scene described the arrestees' behavior as "tumultuous and violent." The police report said officers were confronted by residents who were "screaming," "biting," "kicking," and "punching."
As a result of this incident, an unidentified resident was removed from Wayside and brought to a "safehouse" in Manhattan because school officials feared for her safety, police said.
The counselor was taken to an area hospital where she was treated for injuries to her face, back and neck. Leckler and Bailey were transported to Nassau University Medical Center where they were treated and released, according to the police.
