Police: Berkeley High student arrested after bleach attack
Officers responded Monday to Berkeley High School on a report of a fight between two female students, BPD said.
A female student who threw bleach at another student during a fight Monday was arrested on the Berkeley High campus, police report.
Officers responded to Berkeley High School, at 1980 Allston Way, shortly before noon on a report of a fight between two female students, police said.
"During the incident, one of the students threw or poured bleach on the other student and was consequently arrested and booked into juvenile hall," Berkeley police said in response to a Scanner inquiry.
Both of the students were juveniles, police said, so no further information was released.
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Berkeley High Principal Juan Raygoza emailed parents Monday at about 5 p.m., reporting the arrest but sharing no details about the nature of the incident.
"The arrest was coordinated with site administrators and safety staff. While there was no disruption to classes or school activities, some students in the area may have witnessed the arrest," he wrote. "Our counseling team is available to support any students who may need to talk."
According to emergency radio traffic reviewed by The Scanner, the incident may have taken place in the C Building at Berkeley High.
One student was taken to Alta Bates Hospital immediately after the fight.
Multiple parents asked The Scanner to learn more in response to the principal's vague email, particularly as rumors and stories circulated widely among students throughout the day.
On Tuesday, police said reports of the fight having involved pepper spray or mace, as well as bleach, were unfounded based on the initial investigation.
In online local crime logs, TBS determined, the incident was listed as an assault with caustic chemicals.
According to the state penal code, "Any person who willfully and maliciously places or throws, or causes to be placed or thrown, upon the person of another, any vitriol, corrosive acid, flammable substance, or caustic chemical of any nature, with the intent to injure the flesh or disfigure the body of that person, is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for two, three or four years."
Arrests on the Berkeley High campus are rare — but they are also hard to track.
Historically, the school district has not been consistent about sharing public safety information.
School officials rarely respond to requests for comment or additional context.
If more details become available, The Scanner will update this report.
