Adrian
Onondaga County, New York, District Attorney BILL FITZPATRICK appeared on Fox and Friends on Thursday to discuss a disturbing hazing case involving a Syracuse high school lacrosse team that has captured national attention. Fitzpatrick emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “If a sheriff’s deputy or a state police officer had come upon the scene and saw four armed men all dressed in camouflage and dark clothing abducting a young man, it could have been catastrophic.”
Eleven Westhill High School lacrosse players surrendered to the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Department on Wednesday and are now facing misdemeanor unlawful imprisonment charges. The incident allegedly involved the kidnapping of a younger teammate at gunpoint, during which the victim was forced into the trunk of a vehicle, had a pillowcase placed over his head, and was bound.
Fitzpatrick warned of the potential for tragedy, stating, “Weapons could have been drawn, and shots could have been administered to the kids. It could have been an absolute disaster.” However, after further investigation, it appears the gun used in the incident had a bright red or orange tip, suggesting it was likely a fake.
Of the 11 suspects, four are 18 years old and will face charges in local justice courts, which handle minor criminal matters. The remaining seven individuals will be adjudicated in juvenile courts. Fitzpatrick confirmed that none of the defendants will have criminal records after their cases are resolved, provided they comply with court mandates. This follows a deal offered by the District Attorney during a press conference on Tuesday, where he issued an ultimatum: if the suspects turned themselves in, they would face misdemeanor charges; otherwise, they would be tried as adults on felony kidnapping charges.
“In any event, none of the eleven – if they jump through the hoops that the court mandates – will wind up with criminal records, which I think is fair despite the idiocy of what they did,” Fitzpatrick told Fox and Friends host LAWRENCE JONES.
When asked how the incident came to light, Fitzpatrick revealed, “Some of these geniuses posted this on social media in some misguided effort to impress their friends, and we monitor that sort of thing,” adding that the sheriff’s office was alerted and subsequently notified his office, prompting an investigation.
STEPHEN DUNHAM, Superintendent of the Westhill Central School District, released a statement on Wednesday addressing the incident. “This is an incredibly serious situation, and the District continues to cooperate fully with the District Attorney and the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Department. Because this is an ongoing investigation, we are not able to provide further comment at this time,” Dunham said. He added, “Any behavior that endangers the physical safety, mental health, or well-being of our students will always be addressed promptly and in accordance with our Code of Conduct. We remain committed to upholding the values of our school community.”
[Sources](#)
[Fox and Friends Interview](#)
[Onondaga County Sheriff’s Department Statement](#)
[Westhill Central School District Statement](#)
