Multiple Students Injured in Pepper Spray Incident at San Francisco High School

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The San Francisco Fire Department reported that eight people were injured after pepper spray was released during a student fight at City Arts and Leadership Academy in the city's Excelsior district on Wednesday afternoon. The fire department was dispatched to the front of the public charter school around 1 p.m., although it was unclear whether the altercation happened inside or outside the building.

Why it matters

Incidents of violence and use of pepper spray on school campuses raise concerns about student safety and the need for better conflict resolution and de-escalation measures in schools. This event also highlights the ongoing challenges facing San Francisco's public schools, which have seen declining enrollment and budget cuts in recent years.

The details

According to fire department spokesperson Mariano Elias, a 'large group' of students was fighting before the pepper spray was released. One fire engine and three ambulances were dispatched to the scene. Three juveniles were reunited with their parents and declined transportation to the hospital, while two adults also declined to go. The remaining three patients were still being evaluated at the time.

• The fire department was dispatched to the front of City Arts and Leadership Academy around 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.