6 Teens Arrested in High School Attack

Six teenagers were arrested Thursday on suspicion of participating in a gang-related attack two weeks before at Newbury Park High School.

Carlos Palacios, 18, and five boys, ages 15 to 17, were arrested during an 8 a.m. sweep of six homes in Newbury Park, said Sheriff’s Sgt. Dave Paige. The six face charges of conspiracy and felony battery. One student suffered a dislocated shoulder in the Nov. 19 incident, authorities said.

Palacios was booked into the East Valley Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail. The others were taken to Juvenile Hall.

Gang activity is not common at the 1,500-student high school, said Maren Van Orman, senior class president.

“It is not very typical for there to be fights or incidents between the different designated social groups,” she said. “We have a very close connection between us.”

While the school does not address gang activity in its peer counseling program, efforts are being made to steer students away from the gang lifestyle, Van Orman said.

“On Dec. 12, a former gang member, drug dealer guy who’s done the whole turnaround thing is coming to our school and talking to the students,” Van Orman said. “I think it’s a sign that the administration wants to address the issue.”