Lacrosse Team's Dark Night: When Hazing Turned Into Kidnapping

In Syracuse, New York, a group of high school students from Westhill High School found themselves in serious trouble after a prank gone wrong. The incident involved at least 11 students who are now facing felony kidnapping charges. The students had planned to haze younger members of the school’s lacrosse team. The district attorney described the incident as far more serious than typical hazing. The event took place last Thursday evening, and the students involved had 48 hours to turn themselves in to avoid more severe charges. The varsity boys’ lacrosse season was canceled as a result of the incident. The school superintendent stated that the team's culture needed a complete overhaul. The majority of the team was not involved in the incident and was unaware of the plans ahead of time. The superintendent emphasized the need for a reset in the program's culture. Five victims were identified by the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office. One of the victims was taken to a remote area where individuals dressed in black and armed with a handgun and a knife appeared from the woods. The victim was blindfolded, tied up, and placed in the trunk of a car before being left in a wooded area. The victim was eventually returned home but had a harrowing experience, thinking he might be abandoned. The district attorney highlighted the severity of the incident, stating that it was not a trivial matter. The victim's experience was captured on video, showing that some of the individuals involved found the situation amusing. The district attorney emphasized that the incident would be prosecuted as a normal case, with the decision on charges not left to the victims or their parents. The district attorney offered the students involved a one-time, 48-hour window to turn themselves in and face a misdemeanor charge of unlawful imprisonment. Failure to do so would result in more serious felony kidnapping charges. The school district's policy strictly prohibits hazing in all forms, describing it as an indefensible act that can cause physical and emotional harm. The school district initiated an investigation immediately upon learning of the incident and notified law enforcement. The district attorney and school superintendent addressed rumors surrounding the incident, emphasizing the need for a thorough and accurate investigation. The incident was initially reported by a school resource officer, and the criminal investigation was turned over to the district attorney. The district attorney warned the parents of the students involved that the sheriff’s department would expend significant effort on the case. The superintendent emphasized the importance of conducting a thorough investigation to get things right, hoping it would not be misconstrued as inaction.