11 High School Students Face Kidnapping Charges After Extreme Hazing Incident
At least 11 high school students in Syracuse, New York, have 48 hours to turn themselves in or face felony kidnapping charges for their alleged involvement in victimizing at least five younger lacrosse players in an incident the district attorney describes as “going way beyond hazing.”
The incident occurred last Thursday evening, when a group of Westhill High School students, whose identities are being withheld due to their age, decided to “haze or play some sort of prank” on younger members of the school’s lacrosse team, according to Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick.
As a result, the remaining varsity boys’ lacrosse season has been canceled, Westhill Central School District Superintendent Stephen Dunham confirmed on Tuesday. While most of the team was neither involved in the incident nor aware of the plans, Dunham emphasized that “we must address the culture of the program, and the most appropriate way to do that is with a reset.”
Among the five victims identified by the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, one was taken to a remote area of the county, where individuals dressed in black and armed with at least one handgun and one knife emerged from the woods, Fitzpatrick said.
Group of 11 High School Students Face Kidnapping Charges After Allegedly Abducting Lacrosse Player
At least 11 high school students in Syracuse, New York, have 48 hours to turn themselves in or face felony kidnapping charges for their alleged involvement in victimizing at least five younger lacrosse players in an incident described by the district attorney as “going way beyond hazing.”
The incident took place last Thursday evening when a group of Westhill High School students, whose identities are being withheld due to their age, planned to “haze or play some sort of prank” on younger members of the school’s lacrosse team, Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick explained.
In an alarming escalation, one of the five victims was allegedly abducted, with a pillowcase placed over his head, and tied up before being thrown in the trunk of a car. He was then taken to a remote area in the southern part of the county and left alone. The victim was eventually returned home after experiencing significant distress, believing he would be abandoned in a secluded location. The incident was filmed, and Fitzpatrick stated that some of the involved individuals seemed to find it amusing.
“I’ve seen the videotape of what happened to this young man. It is not a rite of passage. It is not a trivial matter,” Fitzpatrick said during a Tuesday news conference. “I don’t know how long this young man will be affected by what happened to him.”
The district attorney described the premeditated setup, where the victim was tricked into thinking they were going to McDonald’s after a lacrosse game. Instead, he was driven to a remote area where accomplices, dressed in black, jumped out of the woods pretending to be kidnappers.
Fitzpatrick stated that the decision to prosecute will not be left to the victims or their parents but will proceed as a criminal case. The students will face kidnapping charges, potentially in the second degree, and if they fail to surrender within 48 hours, they will be arrested. Those who turn themselves in within the allotted time may be released to their parents’ custody and their case handled in family court, depending on their age.
The Westhill Central School District has canceled the remainder of the varsity lacrosse season and is addressing the program’s culture. Superintendent Stephen Dunham said in a statement that the district strictly prohibits hazing in any form and that the school had launched an immediate investigation when the incident was reported.
“We cannot comment or share specific details about student discipline,” Dunham added.
The district attorney also expressed frustration at the rumors circulating about the incident, urging that a careful investigation be conducted before conclusions are drawn. He addressed the students involved directly, warning them of the serious legal consequences of their actions.
“To the 11 people believed to be involved, you have a 48-hour window to turn yourselves in,” Fitzpatrick said. “If you don’t, we will identify you. You will be arrested, prosecuted as adults, and charged with kidnapping.”
The district attorney emphasized that the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Department would treat the case with the same priority as a homicide investigation, underscoring the seriousness of the charges.
The sheriff’s office was alerted by a school resource officer, and the investigation was handed over to the district attorney’s office for further proceedings.
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