Teen girl dies after violent fight with other girls in Delaware high school bathroom

Residents of Wilmington, Delaware have been shocked by the death of a sixteen-year-old girl who died on Thursday morning, April 21, after a fight with a group of girls in a high school bathroom.

Amy Joyner-Francis reportedly had a confrontation with three girls in the main bathroom of Howard High School of Technology before classes started. Sources say the argument was about a boy, although Joyner-Francis' friend Shytera Dawkins said this was not true.

Dawkins said Joyner-Francis had told her Wednesday night that she would meet with the girls the following morning to "settle the beef."

"This was like the first time that someone died over a fight," Dawkins told Delaware Online. "Amy is a good girl who gets good grades who stays out of trouble. For them to fight, it's just wow, a shocker for everybody," he added.

Joyner-Francis sustained serious injuries from the violent confrontation. She was airlifted to A.I. duPont Hospital, where she eventually died.

Authorities said no weapon was used during the fight. However, they have not disclosed Joyner-Francis' cause of death. Three girls are being questioned about the incident.

Wilmington Mayor Dennis Williams said the girls "could spend a substantial amount of time in prison" if proven guilty.

"I'm a retired police officer. If the physical evidence shows that they are the perpetrators and a person loses their life, absolutely," he told CBS News.

Williams reminded parents that they should take charge over their children's affairs. "Parents need to step it up," he said.

Students were dismissed Thursday morning after news of the incident broke out. 

Meanwhile, superintendent Victoria Gehrt from the New Castle County Vocational Technical School District, assured students and parents that Howard High School is not an unsafe place.

"I'd like to reinforce to all that Howard [High School of Technology] is a safe school for our students," ABC News quoted Gehrt as saying.