In the clip, taken at South Dade High School, in Homestead, an adult can be seen holding a teenager before slamming him down to the ground. The adult is heard uttering an expletive and telling the student to “calm down.”
Moments before, one teenager appeared to have another in a headlock while adults tried to stop the fight from escalating further as dozens of other students watched on.
Once the boy had been forcefully brought to the ground, the other teenagers shouted and appeared shocked.
Seconds later, the school employee placed his hand on the boy’s chest before helping him up and lead him away from the crowd.
Another adult seen trying to break up the fight did not appear to have been involved with bringing the student to the ground.
Other footage appeared to show two students fighting with another student in a corner while a crowd gathered.
The Miami-Dade County Public Schools issued a statement to WPLG on Wednesday, following the emergence of the footage.
The district said the employee had been a teacher and worked with the district for nine years and had no previous disciplinary history.
“The safety of students and employees remains a top priority at Miami-Dade County Public Schools,” a spokesperson said.
“The District is conducting a thorough review of the actions taken by a school employee who attempted to separate an altercation involving several students. This individual has been removed from the school site pending the outcome of an investigation, and the students will be disciplined according to the Code of Student Conduct.”
An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
South Dade High School operates as a magnet school with an International Baccalaureate, meaning it attracts students from outside normal boundaries as defined by districts.
Newsweek has contacted Miami-Dade Public Schools for further comment.
