Warning: This article contains graphic details of kidnapping which some readers may find distressing.
A 'hazing ritual' that saw high school lacrosse players bundle younger players into the back of a car at knifepoint, has ended in kidnapping charges against a number of the team.
Student athletes of Westhill High School, in Syracuse, central New York, have been accused of kidnapping and terrorizing five pupils trying to make it onto the team, in what has been described as 'hazing on steroids'.
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The incidents are alleged to have taken place following a game of lacrosse, with senior players tricking the lacrosse hopefuls into believing they were going to McDonald's for a bite to eat.
However, the driver pretended that he had gotten lost on the way, and pulled over in a remote area of the county, where masked older teammates emerged.
Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick claims that the suspects, who were dressed in black clothing, were armed with at least one knife and a gun, although it is unclear whether this was a fake. The DA has stated he does not plan to charge anyone with the possession of a weapon.
Some of the alleged victims managed to escape, but one remaining student was reportedly heavily targeted by his 'teammates'.
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They have been accused of tying him up, before placing a pillowcase over his head and bundling him into the boot of the car.
The DA said on Tuesday (April 29) that he watched a video of the events, and for a time, the student 'thought he was going to be abandoned in the middle of nowhere', and highlighted that some of the suspects can be heard on the video finding the victims' terror 'amusing'.
“This is criminal activity, and this is hazing on steroids," Fitzpatrick added.
"I have seen the videotape of what happened to this young man. It is not a rite of passage. It is not a trivial matter.
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"I don't know how long this young man will be affected by what happened to him. Frankly, I find it incomprehensible that in this day and age somebody could have thought that they would have gotten away with something like this."
The victims were eventually returned home with no injuries reported, although Fitzpatrick has warned that the teens may suffer lasting psychological effects due to the trauma they experienced.
Eleven of the individuals involved, who are all minors, have turned themselves in.
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Fitzpatrick added: “I cannot really adequately express to this community the level of stupidity and lack of judgment involved in this case.”
Lisa O'Reilly, President of the Westhill Central School District's board of education, Lisa O'Reilly issued the following statement to CBS News: "We are aware of the District Attorney's statement and are continuing to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.
"At this time, the District has no additional information to share. While the investigation is ongoing, we remain committed to the values of student safety, dignity, and accountability.
"We remain in close contact with law enforcement and remain focused on supporting our students and ensuring the safety and well-being of our school community."
Joe Yates