SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — A concerning incident involving a group of high school lacrosse players in Westhill, a suburb of Syracuse, New York, has come to light. Authorities are threatening to press kidnapping charges against the students if they do not voluntarily surrender following a hazing prank that escalated dangerously. The prank reportedly involved staging an armed abduction of younger players within the team, raising serious safety and legal concerns.
According to Onondaga County District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick, the incident occurred during a team outing to McDonald's, where one player was apparently tied up, blindfolded, and placed in the trunk of a car. The alleged victim was misled into believing he would be abandoned in a remote location. Thankfully, he was eventually returned home without suffering any physical harm. Fitzpatrick emphasized the extreme recklessness and lack of judgment displayed by the students, stating that the emotional impact of the ordeal could resonate long-term for the victim.
The DA elaborated on the elaborate nature of the prank, explaining that a driver transporting five younger players in the team feigned being lost. This led to a staged scene where other participants were waiting, brandishing at least one knife and a weapon that looked like a gun. This simulation of an abduction, even though it didn't lead to physical harm, poses grave risks, Fitzpatrick warned, particularly if law enforcement had arrived and misconstrued the situation as a genuine kidnapping attempt.
Authorities have obtained video evidence of the events, prompting the identification of 11 individuals believed to be involved in the prank, either directly or indirectly. Fitzpatrick has provided these participants, some of whom are 18 years old, until Thursday to come forward and accept lesser charges that would likely spare them from jail time. Those who fail to comply with this request could face felony charges, which would carry much more significant legal repercussions.
In a stern warning to the involved students and their parents, Fitzpatrick stated, “Don’t come crying to me two weeks from now and say, ‘You charged my little baby with kidnapping.’ Yeah, that’s right. Most of my prosecutors can win cases that are on videotape.” His comments signal the seriousness with which the authorities are treating this incident, emphasizing that it is far from a harmless prank.
Concerns regarding the safety and well-being of students have also been addressed by the Westhill School District’s Superintendent, Steve Dunham. In a recent statement, Dunham affirmed the district's commitment to the physical safety and mental health of its students. He stated, “Any behavior that negatively affects any of these aspects for other students will be addressed promptly and appropriately according to our Code of Conduct.” This response indicates the school’s intention to take serious measures in dealing with the consequences of such hazardous behavior.
The case underscores a broader issue related to hazing practices in sports and the lengths to which some individuals may go in the name of team bonding. As this situation unfolds, the implications for those involved, both legally and socially, will likely be substantial. With authorities actively investigating, the potential ramifications may serve as a cautionary tale for other students and teams.
