Student arrested for assault in bus line; Other students credited for breaking up fisticuffs.

Byline: John Weeks

CLINTON - A 16-year-old sophomore at Clinton High School was arrested Tuesday afternoon following a fight in which police and school officials said he attacked another student with a pocket comb. The incident began as students were boarding buses following dismissal.

"Two students were outside and they became involved in a fight," Principal James Hastings said. "Words were exchanged and fists were thrown back. One of the students had a pick comb in his hair. He pulled it out and began swinging with that. He struck the other student and caught him a couple of times on the forehead, the side of the face and the lip. He punctured him around the face."

Hastings said the fight was quickly stopped by other students who stepped in between the two combatants and pulled them away from each other.

"The response of the students was great," he said. "They stepped right in. Then our teachers and staff and the bus driver rushed over. The police were called. They arrived, spoke with the students and after being told what happened, placed the student who had used the comb under arrest."

According to police, the student was charged with assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (the comb), carrying a dangerous weapon, disrupting a school assembly, disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace. The student's name was not released because he is a juvenile. His charges will be handled in Worcester Juvenile Court.

"The student has been suspended from school for 10 days," Hastings said. "At the end of the suspension there will be an expulsion hearing. It's unfortunate when these things happen. It's being dealt with appropriately."

Hastings said the wounded student was treated by the school nurse and sent to Clinton Hospital, where he was checked by staff and released that day. Both Hastings and Superintendent Gaw reassured concerned parents that the school is safe.

"We have a safe school," Gaw said. "We have a safe school system. We look out for each other. We consider ourselves family."

"The response of the students who broke up the fight is indicative of that," Hastings said. "This was an unpleasant incident. The students who stepped in and stopped it showed us how many good, good students we have."