Police were talking to a 10-year-old student at a South Side elementary school to determine if the spraying of a substance believed to be Mace in a school cafeteria Wednesday morning that led to several students being taken to hospitals was intentional or accidental.
About 8:40 a.m., a can of Mace was triggered at the Beasley Magnet Academic Center, an elementary school at 5255 S. State St., according to police News Affairs Officer John Mirabelli.
About 9:20 a.m., an EMS Plan I response, which sends at least five ambulances, was called for the school because several people were sprayed with pepper spray, according to Fire Media Affairs. According to preliminary reports, a student sprayed Mace in the lunchroom, police said.
"Seven students were transported to nearby hospitals as a precautionary measure after being sprayed with an unidentified liquid by a fellow student this morning," CPS spokeswoman Marielle Sainvilus said in a statement via e-mail. "That student has been removed from the premises."
Seven students were taken to area hospitals as a precautionary measure, according to Fire Media. The hospitals included Comer Children's Hospital at the University of Chicago Hospitals and Mercy Hospital, according to police.
Police were speaking to a 10-year-old boy who pulled the trigger on the Mace, to try to determine if the incident was an accident or intentional, Mirabelli said.
Sainvilus added that it has not been confirmed as of later Wednesday morning what was contained in the liquid. She also said parents of the affected students were notified immediately, and a letter and robocalls were going out to all parents notifying them of the incident.
"The school will work in coordination with CPD on this incident and will take all appropriate necessary disciplinary actions," she said.
Sunday, May 26 2013 12:28 PM EDT2013-05-26 16:28:24 GMT
The tornado that struck Oklahoma on Monday took a devastating toll in the number of lives lost and property destroyed. But amidst the anguish and destruction there is another heart-wrenching tragedy.
The tornado that struck Oklahoma on Monday took a devastating toll in the number of lives lost and property destroyed. But amidst the anguish and destruction there is another "heart-wrenching" tragedy -- displaced pets.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Sunday, May 26 2013 9:30 PM EDT2013-05-27 01:30:45 GMT
The manager of a local gentleman's club was shot dead, and a woman inside the sports car he was driving was wounded, early Sunday in the Goose Island area, Chicago Police said.
The manager of a local gentleman's club was shot dead, and a woman inside the sports car he was driving was wounded, early Sunday in the Goose Island area, Chicago Police said.
Sunday, May 26 2013 8:46 PM EDT2013-05-27 00:46:55 GMT
Chicago police questioned the suspect in the shooting death of 6-month-old Jonylah Watkins on Sunday, a law enforcement source told the Chicago Sun-Times. The baby girl was fatally shot in March.
Chicago police questioned the suspect in the shooting death of 6-month-old Jonylah Watkins on Sunday, a law enforcement source told the Chicago Sun-Times. The baby girl was fatally shot in March.
Sunday, May 26 2013 7:33 PM EDT2013-05-26 23:33:03 GMT
Six people were killed and 13 others wounded in violence across the city since Friday night — including the manager of a Far South Side gentleman's club.
Six people were killed and 13 others wounded in violence across the city since Friday night — including the manager of a Far South Side gentleman's club.
Sunday, May 26 2013 1:28 PM EDT2013-05-26 17:28:30 GMT
A woman suffering from dementia, diabetes and short-term memory loss was reported missing from the Orland Square Mall in southwest suburban Orland Park Saturday night.
A woman suffering from dementia, diabetes and short-term memory loss was reported missing from the Orland Square Mall in southwest suburban Orland Park Saturday night.
Sunday, May 26 2013 12:54 PM EDT2013-05-26 16:54:05 GMT
Once a year, bicyclists take over Chicago's scenic Lake Shore Drive. On this cool and sunny Sunday morning, hundreds of riders filled the 15-mile stretch on bikes of every shape and size.
Once a year, bicyclists take over Chicago's scenic Lake Shore Drive. On this cool and sunny Sunday morning, hundreds of riders filled the 15-mile stretch on bikes of every shape and size.
Sunday, May 26 2013 12:28 PM EDT2013-05-26 16:28:24 GMT
The tornado that struck Oklahoma on Monday took a devastating toll in the number of lives lost and property destroyed. But amidst the anguish and destruction there is another heart-wrenching tragedy.
The tornado that struck Oklahoma on Monday took a devastating toll in the number of lives lost and property destroyed. But amidst the anguish and destruction there is another "heart-wrenching" tragedy -- displaced pets.
Sunday, May 26 2013 12:22 PM EDT2013-05-26 16:22:36 GMT
Chicago police charged Julio Chavez Jr., 34, with felony arson and burglary on Sunday, after he was found at the scene of a luxury boat fire on Saturday.
Chicago police charged Julio Chavez Jr., 34, with felony arson and burglary on Sunday, after he was found at the scene of a luxury boat fire on Saturday.
