Student taken into custody following Battle HS fight

Columbia Police and Boone County Sheriff’s deputies responded to two fights that broke out at Battle High School Thursday afternoon.

One student was taken into custody for an attack. Following that attack, students staged a fight that blocked staircases and hallways during the lunch hour.

The fake fight led to another one involving two 14-year-olds, one of them reportedly assaulted a teacher.

One student, 17-year-old Eulus McClain was arrested for misdemeanor assault.

The School Resource Officer called in backup from CPD and BCSD to get the situation under control.

Students who had gathered in the common area were sent back to class, and the 7 students directly involved were taken into custody.

ABC 17 News talked with first responders who said there is a radio coverage concern at the high school without a communication tower. The school is required to fix that, and is working on it.

“It is absolutely a safety hazard for all emergency responders and school staff, is it being addressed at this time? Now it’s in the fire code and needs to be addressed,” said Gale Blomenkamp with the Boone Co. Fire Protection District.

Blomenkamp said the goal is for the tower to be in place before Battle Elementary is opened next year. Right now, both the county and school district will be paying for it.

Parents of Battle students were sent a letter notifying them of Thursday’s incident.