Pepper Spray At Elementary School Sends 9 Kids To Hospital

By Samantha Abernethy in News on Jun 19, 2013 10:50PM

Nine children were hospitalized after a student accidentally discharged pepper spray in the building.

Eight of the students are in good condition, but one is in fair-to-serious condition at Lurie Children's Hospital.

Authorities say a student was playing with the can at Ruben Salazar Bilingual Center at Sexton Elementary in the Near North neighborhood.

Police say the student brought the pepper spray. "This was an unfortunate accident and school officials took the appropriate steps this afternoon," Chicago Public Schools spokesman Becky Carroll told NBC.