The Queen Anne's County Sheriff's office is investigating a video showing the assault of a student. It shows what looks to be other students holding him down in a school locker room.
According to sheriff's office, the incident happened on Friday, April 13, and it was made aware of the incident Sunday.
The graphic cell phone video showed the boys appearing to be wrestling aggressively with the student. At the end of the recorded video, one of the students took his pants down and put his private parts in the student's face.
Members of the community took their frustrations to the Kent Island Happenings Facebook page expressing their disappointment on the issue.
I am very upset. I just heard about the young man sexually assaulted at our High School and a damn video was posted to Snapchat..The LAX team should be looked over
and every student involved expelled. Today is a sad day for our community.......side note...to the young man this happened to I have your back and support you 100 percent!
Superintendent of Queen Anne's County Public Schools released the following statement:
Dear Parents and Caregivers, A great deal of information is circulating regarding an incident that occurred at Kent Island High School on Friday, April 13th. Administrators were made aware of a video that contained images of one of our Kent Island High School students being subjected to inappropriate and unacceptable acts by peers. Procedures that are outlined in the QACPS Discipline Code were followed and we continue to thoroughly investigate the incident. We have been and are continuing to offer support to the student and his family. We have met with our partners in the Sheriff’s office and the State’s Attorney, Lance Richardson. Mr. Richardson and the Sheriff’s office will continue to investigate the incident in addition to the school district. We have discussed the handling of this case, as well as, similar cases should they occur in the future. Amid the myriad social media posts, emails, and opinions regarding this incident, please understand that this office does not condone unacceptable behavior demonstrated by students or employees. Acts of bullying, harassment, intimidation or hazing will receive the appropriate consequence as guided by district policy. Additionally, students who engage in acts of bullying, harassment, or intimidation by any method, including electronic communication (cell phone, computer, etc.), will receive the appropriate consequence. Student safety continues to be the paramount priority. You are encouraged to closely monitor your child’s digital devices, social media accounts, and extra-curricular activities. We will continue to investigate this incident and do all that we can to ensure the safety and well-being of students.
The Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office has launched a criminal investigation into the situation.
On Sunday, April 15, 2018, The Queen Anne’s County Office of the Sheriff and States Attorney became aware of an incident that occurred at the Kent Island High School on Friday, April 13th. The incident, which occurred inside a school locker room involved an alleged assault on one student by several others as it was recorded by cell phone video by a student. A criminal investigation was immediately initiated by the QAC Sheriffs Criminal Investigation Unit and the School Resource Unit which is still underway. The States Attorney and school officials have been kept apprised of the progress of the investigation. Upon completion of the investigation, the States Attorney will be consulted with input from the victims family to determine the conclusion of the incident. QAC school officials are simultaneously investigating this incident to determine their course of action. We wish all to be compassionate and understanding for the victim and school as this investigation proceeds. We ask that all inquiries be directed to the QAC BOE regarding this incident and to respect the dignity of those involved.
Officials say they plan to conclude the investigation once the State's Attorney's Office consults with the victim's family in regards to the incident.
