Fridley police officer discharged from hospital after being injured while responding to fight at high school
FRIDLEY, Minn. — Authorities say a police officer is in stable condition after getting injured while responding to an incident at Fridley High School Thursday afternoon.
The Fridley Police Department says officers were dispatched to the high school shortly after 3 p.m. on the report of a disturbance in the parking lot.
The school resource officer (SRO) had requested assistance after finding "several students engaging in a physical altercation."
The SRO has been identified as officer Nico Wallat. Police say that while Wallat separated suspects involved in the fight, a bystander intentionally kicked the officer in the head, causing severe harm. Wallat was transported to North Memorial Health Hospital.
The person who allegedly kicked the officer was arrested in addition to two people involved in the original fight. Fridley police say there is no threat to the public.
Fridley police arrested three minors in relation to the investigation, one 16-year-old girl and two 14-year-old girls. So far, six suspects, all minors, have been arrested and transported to a local juvenile facility.
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"The safety and security of our students and staff is our most important obligation. We are working closely with the Fridley Public Safety Department to address this serious incident and will take appropriate disciplinary steps with the students involved," Fridley Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Lewis wrote in an email to parents.
Wallat was discharged from the hospital on Friday and will be on leave during his recovery.
The incident is under investigation.
