2 arrested at Seattle middle-school graduation melee

Graduation ceremonies at a Seattle middle school were interrupted Tuesday when two girls incited a disturbance and attacked an off-duty police officer, according to Seattle police.

Dozens of police were called to Meany Middle School on Capitol Hill to quell the disturbance, delaying the event for about a half-hour, Seattle police spokeswoman Reneé Witt said.

Police also arrested two girls, ages 14 and 15, for causing the stir. Both girls now face criminal charges. The 14-year-old faces felony assault of an officer and a trespassing charge, while the 15-year old could be charged with trespass and disruption of school activities, Witt said.

The disturbance happened shortly before 6 p.m. at the school, Witt said, when the 14-year-old girl, who had been ordered to stay away from the school earlier in the year, showed up at the graduation and started making a scene.

"She showed up and apparently incited quite the disturbance," Witt said.

Two off-duty Seattle police officers who were working security at the graduation immediately "recognized the suspect" and knew she had been told to stay away from the school, Witt said. But when officers approached her, the second girl jumped in and assaulted one of the officers, Witt said.

The girls' actions agitated the crowd, Witt said, and more police had to be called in.

"They incited the crowd, and the crowd started getting involved," Witt said.

Police brought in several officers to help calm the disturbance. After officers arrested the girls and were taking them away in a patrol car, a third girl jumped onto the back of the police car, Witt said. But officers weren't able to identify her.

The 14-year-old was later booked for assaulting the officer, while the 15 year-old was released to her parents, Witt said.

Lewis Kamb: 206-464-2341 or lkamb@seattletimes.com