Star News Online: It was a night to showcase the talents of middle school students, but violence and pepper spray stole the show.

About 8 p.m. Thursday, a fight between several teenagers broke out at Williston Middle School on South 10th Street, where students were participating in a talent show, said Deputy Charles Smith of the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office.

Witnesses said the altercation took place just behind the school.

When a school resource officer and a faculty member tried to break it up, more young people rushed in, perhaps to join in the fight, Smith said. The officer discharged pepper spray to try to control the situation.

"At that point, he was the only officer on the scene," Smith said.

Wilmington Police, more sheriff's deputies and ambulances were called in. Five people who inhaled the spray, including at least two girls, were treated by emergency personnel at the scene and released. Smith said no one was transported by ambulance to the hospital.

It was unclear at press time whether anyone had been charged in connection with the fight.

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