High school lacrosse team’s season cancelled after investigation for “hazing on steroids”

The varsity boys’ lacrosse season at Westhill High School in Syracuse, New York, has been cancelled after a hazing scandal led authorities to order at least 11 players to turn themselves in within 48 hours.

Onondaga County District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick confirmed his office will pursue charges against members of the team following a disturbing incident involving the kidnapping and intimidation of a younger teammate.

“This is not a rite of passage. It is not a trivial matter,” Fitzpatrick said. “I’ve seen the video tape of what happened to this young man. I don’t know how long he will be affected.”

Team outing used to haze younger teammates

According to the DA, the hazing incident unfolded under the guise of a team outing. Senior players invited younger teammates to attend another school’s lacrosse game followed by dinner. But on the way back, the plan took a dark turn.

“The driver of the vehicle was purportedly lost,” Fitzpatrick said. “That was a ruse.”

The group allegedly drove the younger player to a remote area in southern Onondaga County. With a pillowcase placed over his head, the victim was taken from the vehicle. “The accomplices jumped out of the woods pretending to be kidnappers,” said the DA. “People came out of the woods all dressed in black and armed with at least one handgun and one knife.”

Fitzpatrick said the teen was tied up, locked in the trunk of a car, and driven further away while being threatened.

Other students manage to escape hazing

The Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office investigation found that at least four other students who were about to be targeted managed to escape before the situation escalated.

Fitzpatrick has given the suspects a 48-hour window to cooperate with authorities. Those who do will face only misdemeanor charges of unlawful imprisonment and will be handled in Family Court, therefore avoiding a permanent criminal record.

However, the district attorney warned that any student who fails to comply will be charged as an adult and could face felony kidnapping charges.

The investigation has rocked the Westhill High School community and effectively ended the team’s season. As the legal process begins, Fitzpatrick made it clear that the alleged actions represent far more than a prank.

“This,” he said, “was hazing on steroids.”

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