Swissvale police arrested 11 Woodland Hills Junior High School students following a massive brawl that broke out in the school parking lot as classes let out Wednesday afternoon.

About a dozen officers had to be called to back up the two police officers and five security guards already on campus to control what Swissvale police Chief Greg Geppert described as "a melee." Two officers received minor hand injuries while trying to handcuff students.

He said that two students started fighting around 3 p.m., just as students were gathering in the parking lot to get picked up by buses. The violence quickly spread, and as many as 10 different fights involving several students -- Chief Geppert couldn't say how many -- broke out throughout the parking lot.

Nine boys and two girls were arrested as a result of the incident and all were cited for disorderly conduct. Seven of the students had to be picked up from the police station by their parents. Four students were transported to Shuman Juvenile Detention Center, where they face charges of resisting arrest and inciting a riot. Two will be charged with aggravated assault as well for injuring the two officers.

Chief Geppert said that he will recommend 10-day suspensions for all of the students and expulsion for those facing more serious charges. The district will ultimately make that determination, he said.

He said it's not clear what started the initial fight, but students reported that rivalries from nearby Prospect Terrace, an East Pittsburgh housing development, may have spilled over onto the campus.

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