Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office press release: 

On Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at approximately 12:35 p.m. Humboldt County Deputy Sheriffs responded to McKinleyville Middle School for a report of multiple students pepper sprayed by a male juvenile suspect. It was reported the juvenile suspect fled on foot on Central Ave. Deputies responded to the middle school where they met with several juvenile victims. It was determined the juvenile victims and juvenile suspect were in the cafeteria when the incident occurred. Two of the juvenile victims had to be taken to a local hospital for treatment.

While deputies went to the school to meet with victims, additional deputies searched for the juvenile suspect. Deputies located the juvenile suspect on Central Ave at Hartwood and arrested him without incident. The juvenile suspect was taken to Juvenile Hall where he was booked for illegal use of teargas and assault and battery on school grounds.

This case is currently under investigation.

Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.