A group of high school lacrosse players in Syracuse, New York, staged a hazing prank that involved a mock armed abduction of younger teammates. The incident, orchestrated by members of the Westhill High School team, involved one player being tied up and placed in a trunk, leading to potential kidnapping charges for participants. Prosecutors emphasize the serious repercussions of the prank, which could have led to fatal consequences, despite no physical harm being inflicted. Local authorities are urging those involved to turn themselves in to avoid felony charges.
"I cannot adequately express to this community the level of stupidity and lack of judgment involved in this case," Fitzpatrick told reporters Tuesday evening.
"This is not lighting a bag on fire on Halloween and sticking it in your driveway, this is criminal activity," he said, adding that it could have led to a fatal shooting if police had come across the scene.
While the student wasn't hurt physically, "emotionally, that's going to be long term," Fitzpatrick said.
Fitzpatrick is offering those people - some of whom are 18 - until Thursday to turn themselves in and face lower-level charges that would not result in jail time.
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