Police have arrested three teenagers suspected of participating in an attack Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 9, on a Sweet Home Junior High student on the Sweet Home High School campus.
Detectives were aided in their investigation by videos of the altercation taken by a student and a school district employee. The footage showed a group of teenagers kicking, punching and shoving the victim, before one attacker picked him up and tossed him into a bush. The attack took place near the high school’s parking lot on the campus’ west side.
“The video was instrumental in identifying the individuals. The video was in circulation, and we contacted school officials,” Sweet Home Police Chief Jeff Lynn said. “We’ve received numerous tips from community members as far as potential possible names of others involved.”
According to a statement issued Friday, Feb. 11, by the Sweet Home Police Department, officers responded to the school at approximately 2:20 p.m. Wednesday to a report of an altercation between juveniles. When they arrived, they learned that a group of older juveniles had reportedly targeted the younger student.
A 15-year-old female, who , Lynn said, is a student in the Sweet Home School District, was arrested around noon the day after the incident for third-degree assault. The next day, a 16-year-old male was arrested at 2:23 p.m. for third-degree assault and second-degree disorderly conduct, and another 15-year-old female was arrested at 5:20 p.m. for third-degree assault and second-degree disorderly conduct as well.
Lynn said the two teenagers arrested on the second day are from the Greater Albany Public School District. Police have not released their names.
Oregon law defines third-degree assault as a crime that “generally involves intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing serious physical harm to another.”
Lynn said the motivation for the attack was unknown by investigators.
“We’re still working on that aspect,” he said. “We don’t believe that the victim was known to any of the subjects. It may have been a misidentification.”
The arrested teens are being housed at the Linn-Benton Juvenile Detention facility.
“The investigation has revealed the majority of the suspects are allegedly from outside of our community,” police said. “Our department continues to work closely with the Sweet Home School District on this matter. The safety and protection of our students are some of our greatest concerns. We feel great compassion for this young student. We hope the community will support him and his family as he recovers.”
Sweet Home schools Supt. Lisa Riggs issued a statement to parents Friday regarding the incident: “The Sweet Home School District is committed to fostering an environment free from threat of violence, while actively responding to School District staff member witnessed an altercation involving students taking place outside Sweet Home High School after school on Feb. 9.
“The staff member rushed to the scene and all of the students fled except for a student who was injured. The staff member provided aid to the injured student and the Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance Department then responded. The student was transported to a local hospital where he was later released.
“The Sweet Home School District does not tolerate violence in any way. The health and safety of our students is our top priority. We are cooperating and working collaboratively with the Sweet Home Police Department in this open investigation.”
The incident remains an active investigation. Anyone that may have been a witness is encouraged to contact the Sweet Home Police Department at (541) 367-5181.