On Wednesday, a group of 11 high school students from Westhill High School in Syracuse, New York, surrendered to authorities after being implicated in a disturbing hazing incident that has left the community in shock and disbelief. The incident, which occurred on April 24, 2025, has prompted a full investigation, resulting in charges of criminal activity that have stunned both the local community and parents alike. The Onondaga County District Attorney, Bill Fitzpatrick, has described the event as “incomprehensible,” calling it a gross failure in judgment that crossed the line from hazing into criminal behavior.
The group of 11 students, mostly members of the boys’ varsity lacrosse team, turned themselves in after Fitzpatrick issued a 48-hour deadline for them to surrender to police. The district attorney’s office confirmed to Syracuse ABC affiliate WSYR that the students complied with the deadline, and they were processed accordingly. Fitzpatrick, who has worked in law enforcement for decades, spoke in an official press conference, expressing his outrage over the hazing incident and stressing the severity of the actions that took place.
“I cannot really adequately express to this community the level of stupidity and lack of judgment involved in this case,” Fitzpatrick said. The incident, which occurred on the evening of April 24, began innocently enough when the students, including the victim, planned a casual evening. The victim, a younger member of the lacrosse team, thought he would have an enjoyable night attending a lacrosse game with the upperclassmen, followed by a stop at McDonald’s. However, things took a dark turn when the evening ended in terror and trauma.
According to Fitzpatrick, after the group of students stopped at McDonald’s, the driver of the vehicle—one of the older members of the lacrosse team—claimed to have gotten lost and pulled over in a remote area. What followed was an alleged attempt to “haze” the victim, which involved other members of the group jumping out of the woods dressed in black clothing and pretending to be kidnappers. The prank quickly escalated when the accomplices brandished weapons, including a handgun and a knife, and proceeded to place a pillowcase over the victim’s head, tie him up, and stuff him into the trunk of the car.
Fitzpatrick revealed that a disturbing video of the incident had been reviewed by investigators, and the contents were far from a harmless prank. The actions taken against the victim were not only frightening but traumatic, and the case has led to serious charges being filed against the students involved. “I’ve seen the video tape of what happened to this young man. It is not a rite of passage, it is not a trivial matter,” Fitzpatrick said, further emphasizing the seriousness of the crime.
While the 17-year-old victim was left traumatized, there were reportedly four other potential victims in the group who managed to flee the area before they too could be targeted. As of now, only one victim is being publicly identified, but the emotional and psychological scars from the incident are likely to have a lasting impact on all involved. Fitzpatrick condemned the actions of the students, comparing their behavior to criminal activity rather than a traditional rite of passage often associated with hazing.
“Too often, people think of hazing as a harmless tradition or initiation process, but this goes way beyond that,” Fitzpatrick said. He likened the act to a form of kidnapping, saying that the students involved were not engaging in harmless fun, but rather participating in an activity that inflicted emotional and physical harm on their victim. “If you want to welcome someone onto your team and toughen them up, maybe an extra hour of practice might be appropriate as opposed to taking someone at gunpoint, stuffing them in the back of a car and traumatizing them for the rest of their life,” Fitzpatrick said.
The incident has sparked public outrage, with local residents and parents condemning the actions of the students involved. Fitzpatrick made it clear that the justice system would hold the students accountable for their actions. “We cannot let this behavior slide. We need to make sure that those responsible face the consequences,” he said.
In addition to the criminal charges, the incident has led to significant changes at Westhill High School. The school’s superintendent, Steven Dunham, sent an email to families announcing the cancellation of the remainder of the varsity boys’ lacrosse season. While most of the team members were not involved in the hazing incident, Dunham emphasized that the decision to cancel the season was necessary to address the culture within the program. “Some may argue that all student-athletes shouldn’t be punished for the actions of a few. While I understand the perspective, we must address the culture of the program, and the most appropriate way to do that is with a reset,” Dunham wrote in the email.
The decision to cancel the season was met with mixed reactions. While some parents and students supported the action as a necessary step to address the behavior, others questioned whether it was fair to punish those who had no involvement in the incident. Regardless, the message was clear: hazing, regardless of the intent, will not be tolerated at Westhill High School, and the administration is committed to ensuring that such incidents do not occur in the future.
In response to the hazing incident, local advocacy groups focused on student safety and anti-hazing measures have called for increased education on the dangers of hazing and the need for schools to foster environments of respect and inclusion. These groups stress the importance of preventative measures, such as better training for students, teachers, and administrators on how to recognize and address harmful behavior before it escalates. They also advocate for more comprehensive support for victims of hazing, including counseling and resources to help students process their trauma.
One group, the National Anti-Hazing Coalition, released a statement expressing their concern over the incident and calling for more action at both the local and national levels to prevent hazing in schools. “Hazing can have devastating, lifelong effects on both victims and perpetrators. We must work together to ensure that hazing is eliminated from all schools and that students are taught to respect one another from day one,” the statement read.
The legal process for the 11 students involved in the hazing incident is just beginning. While all 11 students have surrendered to authorities, the district attorney’s office has not yet filed formal charges. Once the investigation is completed, the students will be arraigned in court, and the community will learn more about the consequences they will face. If convicted, the students could face serious charges, including kidnapping and assault, which could result in prison time.
In the meantime, the victim and his family are left to cope with the emotional fallout from the traumatic experience. The victim’s family has expressed gratitude for the community’s support, as well as for the swift action taken by law enforcement. They have also called for greater awareness of the dangers of hazing and a commitment from schools and communities to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
The hazing incident on Alphonse Street serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing dangers associated with hazing, especially in athletic programs. While the intent may have been to “initiate” or “toughen up” younger students, the reality is that hazing can cause severe psychological and physical harm that lasts long after the event has passed. The incident has also raised important questions about the culture within high school athletic programs and the role of schools in addressing and preventing harmful behaviors. As the investigation continues, the hope is that the community can come together to heal, learn, and create safer environments for all students.
This case also serves as a critical reminder that hazing is never a trivial matter and should not be dismissed as harmless fun. The consequences for both the victims and the perpetrators can be far-reaching, and it is essential that schools and communities take proactive steps to eliminate hazing in all its forms.
