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Memphis Intercity Church in Downtown Memphis hosts a weekly bible study. Pastor Leon Stevenson says kids from varied backgrounds attend, even children with gang ties. Stevenson says he loves the children and loves what he does, but he is always prepared for violence, like what he says happened Tuesday night.

Stevenson says a fight broke-out. He says it got so out of control, and he had to spray pepper spray into the air to subdue the children.

"I felt we needed to do something to get it back under control. There was something like 60 kids. Not all 60 were involved, but we had about 30 kids coming from both sides," he says.

Some kids were even sent to the hospital. Parents went to the church for answers.

Tori Davis confronted the church’s founding pastor, Don Todd.

"First of all, he could have killed the children. My son got a friend in the hospital. He had an asthma attack because he sprayed pepper spray," Davis said.

Pastor Stevenson talked to Eyewitness News to give his side of the story.

"I'm not saying I'd do the same thing again. If I just stood back and let them fight and somebody's kid got seriously hurt, I could have did that too, but I was trying to do the best I could," Pastor Stevenson says.

Police say 23 children and one adult were treated for breathing problems and irritated eyes. Police are investigating this case to determine if any charges will be filed against Stevenson.

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Memphis Intercity Church in Downtown Memphis hosts a weekly bible study. Pastor Leon Stevenson says kids from varied backgrounds attend, even children with gang ties. Stevenson says he loves the children and loves what he does, but he is always prepared for violence, like what he says happened Tuesday night.

Stevenson says a fight broke-out. He says it got so out of control, and he had to spray pepper spray into the air to subdue the children.

"I felt we needed to do something to get it back under control. There was something like 60 kids. Not all 60 were involved, but we had about 30 kids coming from both sides," he says.

Some kids were even sent to the hospital. Parents went to the church for answers.

Tori Davis confronted the church’s founding pastor, Don Todd.

"First of all, he could have killed the children. My son got a friend in the hospital. He had an asthma attack because he sprayed pepper spray," Davis said.

Pastor Stevenson talked to Eyewitness News to give his side of the story.

"I'm not saying I'd do the same thing again. If I just stood back and let them fight and somebody's kid got seriously hurt, I could have did that too, but I was trying to do the best I could," Pastor Stevenson says.

Police say 23 children and one adult were treated for breathing problems and irritated eyes. Police are investigating this case to determine if any charges will be filed against Stevenson.

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