CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- A fight at Midlothian Middle School prompted a police investigation and a letter home to parents from the principal.
The fights took place at the school on Tuesday, May 9, and involved five children between the ages of 13 and 15, police said.
While investigating, police learned that the juveniles involved in the fight had arranged to meet to fight the day before in the 1300 block of Buckingham Station Drive, a Chesterfield Police spokesperson said.
"When they met at the location, one of the 14-year-old males produced a firearm and fired two shots," according to the spokesperson. "No one was struck or injured, and all of the juveniles fled. The firearm involved in the incident was recovered and was found to be stolen."
The children were charged with assault. The 14-year-old boy with the gun was also charged with discharging a firearm in a public place, possession of a stolen firearm, grand larceny (of the firearm), and brandishing a firearm, according to police.
Alveeta Bower said her daughter was shaken up over the fight Tuesday.
"She got bumped during the fight and someone stepped on her foot," Bower said. "It was just so shocking to her because is the first time she has seen anything like that at school -- to that magnitude."
Bower learned about the fight when she picked her daughter up for a doctor's appointment and then got the official word from the school principal via email Wednesday morning.
Dr. Pat Stanfield's letter to parents attempted to quell some concerns raised in the community; Stanfield said disciplinary action was taken against the students involved and school started Wednesday morning without incident.
"It has come to our attention that students were discussing this incident last night on social media," the letter read in part. "Please know that we have worked collaboratively with the police department to address this issue, and have worked with families involved in some of the social media chatter."
"I'm a little shocked because these are middle schoolers, so my question would be how do they even get a gun? " Bower said.
This is a developing story. Witnesses can send news tips and photos here.
