'Hazing on steroids': DA demands 11 New York high school lacrosse players surrender
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR) – The boys varsity lacrosse season is over at a New York high school, as authorities have ordered at least 11 of the team’s players to turn themselves in to police within 48 hours.
Following reports of an incident of hazing within the Westhill High School team in Syracuse, Onondaga County District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick says he’s decided his office will prosecute charges against the students who allegedly victimized teammates.
The DA says one victim, with a pillowcase over his head, “was taken to a remote area of the county… people came out of the woods all dressed in black and armed with at least one handgun and one knife.”
It started as what was supposed to look like a team outing, more senior members of the team taking younger members to another school’s lacrosse game and then dinner. The DA said the criminal activity began on the ride home.
“The driver of the vehicle was purportedly lost,” said the DA. “That was a ruse.”
After arriving in a remote part of southern Onondaga County, “the accomplices jumped out of the woods pretending to be kidnappers,” said the DA. The teenager was allegedly blinded by a hood, had his hands tied together, locked in a trunk and driven further away. There, teammates dressed in black clothing pulled out what appeared to be a gun and a knife, according to Fitzpatrick.
“I’ve seen the video tape of what happened to this young man,” said the DA. “It is not a rite a passage. It is not a trivial matter. I don’t know how long this young man will be affected.”
At least four other students who were about to be similarly victimized got away, the investigation by the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office showed.
The DA’s 48-hour ultimatum comes with some leniency. Those who cooperate will only be ticketed for unlawful imprisonment but be tried through the Family Court system or not have criminal records that follow them.
Any of the teenage suspects – or anyone else involved – who don’t comply with the the order, will be tried as adults and charged with kidnapping, according to the district attorney.
Briefing from Onondaga County District Attorney
Statement from Westhill Schools Superintendent Steve Dunham
Dear Westhill High School Families,
As you may be aware, the District has been investigating reports of a potential off-campus hazing incident that took place last week involving several students on the Westhill High School varsity boys lacrosse team.
Following five days of gathering information and working closely with the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Department, I have made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of the Westhill High School varsity boys lacrosse season. I recognize this decision will be met with a range of opinions and emotions, as it impacts many students and families. While this was an incredibly difficult step to take, I believe it is necessary.
Let me be clear: the majority of the varsity boys lacrosse team was NOT involved in the incident from last week, nor were they aware of it ahead of time. Some may argue that all student-athletes shouldn’t be punished for the actions of a few. While I understand that perspective, we must address the culture of the program, and the most appropriate way to do that is with a reset.
Hazing is an indefensible act. It can be humiliating and degrading, potentially causing physical and emotional harm. Westhill Central School District policy strictly prohibits hazing, in all forms, and it’s something we simply will not tolerate. As I shared previously, we will address inappropriate behavior that negatively impacts members of our school community promptly and appropriately according to our Code of Conduct.
I would ask once again that our community allow us to continue to address the incident internally, and give our students and families impacted by this the space that they deserve.
Steve Dunham
Superintendent
Westhill Central School District
