PALATKA, Fla. – Deputies responded to multiple student fights in the parking lot of Palatka Junior-Senior High School Wednesday night after students returned from a mental health summit.
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said officers were called to the scene around 8:30 p.m. as students exited buses following the Be Brave Summit, held at the St. Augustine Amphitheater.
Several fights broke out as a large crowd of students gathered in the parking lot. Deputies and law enforcement officers worked to disrupt the brawls, but additional fights continued to break out as the crowd grew.
Authorities said some of the confrontations may have been triggered by fighting that occurred earlier at the event itself. No injuries were reported.
Click on the player above to watch the body camera video released by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.
“It’s not the first time we’ve seen that happen in this county,” Maj. David Ussery from the sheriff’s office said. “It seems like this has been a reciprocating event of these kids brawling like they are.”
After assisting school staff in dispersing the crowd, no charges were filed. School administration will handle discipline for students involved in the fighting.
“I’m just disappointed in the community, not just in these kids, but also the parenting. Obviously, there was something there that these kids thought that was something that was OK to do or a way to act and it’s very disturbing,” Ussery said.
The sheriff’s office urged parents and guardians to stay engaged with their students, noting that many of the young people were waiting in the parking lot for rides or trying to arrange transportation with friends — contributing to the lingering crowds.
“We encourage parents and guardians to be involved with their students,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
UF Health sent a statement to News4JAX that reads in part:
The BRAVE Summit is a tremendous asset for students throughout Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia to connect, learn and support one another in a welcoming environment focused on mental health. We are grateful to the thousands of teens, educators and community partners who made this year’s event a meaningful celebration of resilience, creativity and mental wellbeing.
Near the conclusion of the event on Wednesday, a small group of students were involved in a disruption, and those involved will not participate in future events. Thanks to the swift and professional response from on-site security, the situation was handled promptly.
Care Connect and UF Health remain deeply committed to providing access to trusted mental health resources to teenagers as they grow and navigate challenges. This was the sixth year of the BRAVE Summit, and it continues to receive excellent feedback from students and schools, and we’re proud to provide a positive experience for thousands of students each year.
UF Health
As a precaution due to heightened emotions following the incident, the sheriff’s office said extra deputies were posted at the school Thursday.
“If the kids out here are watching this now, find a mentor, find someone that puts a positive impact on your life. And we can do better than what we’ve seen in this video. We can be better than this, and we are better than this,” Ussery said.