Those who started the fighting that led to a Montgomery County police cruiser striking a teenager on Apple Ridge Road Friday night may never be charged.
Janaya Richards, 15, was struck by a police officer responding to reports of fights in the neighborhood surrounding Watkins Mill High School in Gaithersburg, Md., following a football game there.
Montgomery County police are investigating who started the fighting, but it was so chaotic, they may not be able to make any arrests.
"One person reported that he was attempting to break up one of these smaller fights within the bigger crowd and then was struck from behind,” Montgomery County police Capt. Paul Starks. “He had no idea who hit him. That puts us at a disadvantage."
Meanwhile, the school is preparing for homecoming this weekend.
"I am not (concerned about safety),” Watkins Mill Principal Scott Murphy said. “I've been overwhelmed with the support of our student body, of our parents, of our community throughout the weekend. They have come out with pride and unity and strength."
The call went out Sunday night to prepare meals for Janaya’s family. By Monday morning, they had commitments for dinners for the family through mid-October.
Janaya was upgraded from critical to stable condition at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda.
"She continues to improve,” Watkins Mill Principal Scott Murphy said. “She was talking with her friends and family. She's alert. She was even out of bed, sitting up. Still improving. She's still in the intensive care unit, monitoring the head trauma and some broken bones, but she keeps getting better hour by hour."
Officers of the student government mounted a poster in the hallway and asked all students to sign it and wish Janaya a quick recovery. Murphy took the poster to Janaya when he visited her and her family at Suburban after school Monday.
