Washington Irving Middle School in Roslindale. (Karyn Regal/WBZ NewsRadio)
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Twelve students and one staff member were hospitalized after a student sprayed pepper spray inside the Washington Irving Middle School in Roslindale, Boston Public Schools said.
Boston Police told WBZ NewsRadio they responded to the school for a report of an odor of gas around 10:30 a.m. Thursday. BPS said it was later determined that a student had discharged pepper spray near the school's cafeteria.
Boston EMS said the students and staff member had only minor injuries and illnesses.
"The building was evacuated for more than 30 minutes," BPS wrote in a statement. "Students then returned to the building and remained in the auditorium until fire officials determined it was OK for everyone to return to class."
Students from West Roxbury Academy and Urban Science Academy are also using the Irving building this year. Families of students from all three schools received an automated phone call about the incident.
Classes continued as scheduled, though some West Roxbury and Urban Science students were dismissed with parental permission because they had a previously-scheduled early dismissal.
The student allegedly responsible could face legal action as well as school discipline.
WBZ NewsRadio's Karyn Regal (@Karynregal) reports
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