Atlanta school officer uses pepper spray to break up fight

ATLANTA (AP) A school resource officer used pepper spray to break up a fight at an Atlanta middle school, and onlookers were inadvertently hit by the spray.

Atlanta police spokesman Officer John Chafee tells The Atlanta Journal-Constitution the officer saw three girls fighting outside as about 100 students watched.

Chafee says the officer used pepper spray after being struck several times while trying to break the fight up. Some of the spray drifted and affected some other students.

Paramedics treated affected students.

Atlanta Public Schools spokeswoman Kimberly Willis Green says the district's policies allow officers to use pepper spray when warranted.

Chafee says the three students were charged with simple battery and disorderly conduct. One was also charged with obstruction after police say she hit the officer in the face.