Kaylee McGhee/Collegian
An unknown substance in the hallways of Reading High School caused a school-wide evacuation on Sept. 13. Upon further investigation, school administrators discovered a student had unintentionally released a can of pepper spray in the cafeteria, creating breathing difficulties for students and staff members.
According to Superintendent Chuck North, the Mace was strong enough to bother multiple people.
“Even if it was just one student that reacted poorly, it would still be a big issue,” North said.
North said he contacted the Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Department soon after the student sprayed the substance, because it was impossible to initially identify what it was.
“The fear was not knowing what was making people cough,” Athletic Director Mitch Hubbard, who was one of the first responders, said.
Lt. Tim Parker was one of the first members of law enforcement to arrive at the school, after North personally contacted him.
“No one knew what the source was,” Parker said, “so that was what we needed to figure out.”
Hubbard said the pepper spray traveled from the cafeteria into the hallways, leaving a trail of residue that induced coughing fits, behind it.
“It was a weird feeling,” Hubbard said. “There was this odorless substance traveling around making people cough. Our biggest concern was for the kids with breathing difficulties.”
The administration evacuated the school within five minutes of the pepper spray’s initial release. Shortly thereafter, North decided to cancel classes for the rest of the day in order to cleanse the building of the lingering Mace, according to a press release.
“It was unintentional,” Parker said, “but the results were huge.”
According to Hubbard, Reading High School administration handled a scary situation very well.
“It was a weird situation,” Hubbard said, “I didn’t know that stuff could be so powerful.”