Eleven students connected to the Westhill High School boys’ lacrosse program have turned themselves in after authorities say they staged a mock armed abduction of younger teammates, an act prosecutors say crossed far beyond the bounds of hazing, according to the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office.
The students, whose names have not been released due to their ages, surrendered to law enforcement after District Attorney William Fitzpatrick issued a 48-hour ultimatum for those involved to come forward voluntarily and face misdemeanor charges of unlawful imprisonment.
The Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office and Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately return requests for comments to NTD.
Fitzpatrick warned that anyone who failed to turn themselves in would face more serious felony kidnapping charges.
According to Fitzpatrick, the hazing occurred on Thursday night. Older members of the lacrosse team allegedly invited at least five younger players to hang out, first attending a lacrosse game, followed by a trip to McDonald’s.
However, the group instead drove to a remote area in southern Onondaga County, where they were met in the woods with several individuals dressed in black and armed with what appeared to be at least one handgun and a knife.
One victim was singled out, blindfolded with a pillowcase, tied up, and placed in the trunk of a car. Fitzpatrick said the event was “way, way beyond hazing,” adding that, “I cannot adequately express to this community the level of stupidity and lack of judgment involved in this case.”
The student who was abducted was left to believe he would be abandoned in the remote area, but was eventually returned home.
While he was not physically injured, Fitzpatrick said the emotional toll could have long-term effects, stating, “I don’t know how long this young man will be affected by what happened to him. Emotionally, that’s going to be long-term.”
The incident was recorded on video, which investigators used to identify the 11 students believed to have participated, either directly or indirectly. Some of those involved are 18 years old, according to Fitzpatrick.
During a news conference on Tuesday, Fitzpatrick emphasized how potentially dangerous the prank could have been if officers had intervened.
“If one of Sheriff Shelley’s patrol officers had been on duty and passed by the scene, they would have come out of their vehicle with their guns drawn, and if one of these young people foolishly pointed a weapon in the direction of the officer, you can only imagine what could have happened. And by the grace of God, it didn’t happen,” Fitzpatrick said.
Superintendent Stephen Dunham of the Westhill Central School District announced the cancellation of the remainder of the varsity boys’ lacrosse season, citing the need to address the culture of the program.
“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,” Dunham said in a statement sent to local news outlets. “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”.
The Westhill Central School District did not immediately return a request for comment made by NTD.
The district has pledged to address the incident and provide support for those affected. Dunham urged the community to “allow us to continue to address the incident internally, and give our students and families impacted by this the space that they deserve”.
The students who surrendered have been issued appearance tickets and are expected to appear in court at a later date. The case will proceed through the normal legal process, with Fitzpatrick stating that prosecution will move forward regardless of the wishes of the victims or their families.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
