Teacher ‘Trampled by Mass of Students' as Wild Connecticut School Food Fight Turns Riot; 10 Kids Arrested

Ten students at a Connecticut high school face charges after a food fight-turned-riot ended with a teacher and school resource officer hurt, authorities say. 

The students, who attend Westhill High School in Stamford and are between the ages of 15 and 17, are charged with first-degree rioting, breach of peace, reckless endangerment and assault on a police officer. 

School officials said Friday's food fight had been in the planning for days and developed in a courtyard next to the cafeteria. 

Police said the resource officer was struck in the head by a full soda can while the teacher was "trampled by a mass of students." He is recovering at home.

Stamford Superintendent Earl Kim called the incident "ugly and disappointing."

Sharon Beadle, Stamford Public School spokesperson, said the administration handled the situation "quickly" and that "the district doesn't condone that soirt of behavior."

Principal Michael Rinaldi issued a statement through a letter on the school's website, which reads in part: "Connected with this event were a number of other actions that Westhill High School and the Stamford Police are investigating and will work together to issue consequences including, but not limited to suspension, expulsions and arrests."

Ten students have since been arrested in connection to the incident following an investigation that included reviewing security video, Stamford police says. Only one arrest took place on site as the incident unfolded.

Those arrested face charges that range from riot in the first degree to reckless endangerment and assault on a police officer, according to police.

The students are scheduled to appear in juvenile court but because of their ages their identities will not be disclosed.

"We realize that the citizens, parents, teachers and vast majority of the students do not condone this behavior. This is not the learning environment we expect and demand for our children in this City," the police department said in a statement.

Additionally, authorities are using the incident as an example and are urging parents to monitor their children's social media use.

While the school is currently on spring break, three information sessions are scheduled for next week.

Food fights have apparently taken place at the school in the past, but not at the scale of the recent incident.