Crofton High School Student Identified in Pepper Spray Incident That Ended Homecoming Dance; Four Students Treated
Four students were treated for possible pepper spray exposure after an incident abruptly ended Crofton High School's homecoming dance Saturday evening, October 17, 2026. Police have identified a juvenile believed responsible for deploying the spray, and charges are pending. According to the Anne Arundel County Police Department, a School Resource Officer (SRO) working the event noticed a group of students leaving the school's cafeteria around 8:25 p.m. while experiencing a medical issue. All students subsequently evacuated the building, and four were treated outside for possible pepper spray exposure before being released to their parents. In a message to families Saturday night, Crofton High School Principal Greg Ryan said a pepper spray-like substance was discharged in the cafeteria at approximately 8:30 p.m., causing several students to experience coughing and nasal and throat irritation. School staff quickly directed students from the cafeteria to the main lo...
