Fremd students charged in Inverness brawl

Five Fremd High School students have been cited for their roles in a planned fight at South Park in Inverness last month that included one teen stabbing a classmate.

The teens, who were 14 to 18 years old at the time of the fight, turned themselves into police last week. They were charged with fighting in a public place, a village ordinance violation, Inverness Police Chief Bob Haas said.

If convicted, they face a fine of up to $500 and community service. All were assigned an Aug. 2 court date in Rolling Meadows.

Haas said three are from Palatine, one from Schaumburg and one from unincorporated Cook County. Haas would not release any of the students' names.

More than 50 people showed up to the fight the afternoon of May 26, during which a 16-year-old stabbed his 18-year-old classmate. The older teen suffered minor injuries and had surgery at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights.

Both were charged with the ordinance violation.

Haas said prosecutors decided against more serious charges because self-defense was involved and they didn't think they had a strong enough case.

All the students cited were suspended from school, but two have since graduated, police said.

“This is to send a message that this won't be tolerated by the school, the citizens of Inverness or the police department,” Haas said. “Kids need to make better decisions.”