Lacrosse Team's Night of Mischief Turns Into a Crime Scene

A group of high school lacrosse players from Westhill High School in Syracuse, New York, found themselves in serious trouble after a prank went awry. The incident, which took place on April 24, involved a staged kidnapping that left one player traumatized and 11 students facing criminal charges. The prank was initially planned as a joke, but it quickly spiraled out of control. The night started like any other, with a lacrosse game that went into overtime. While the game was happening, some members of the varsity team were texting each other, discussing the perfect night for a prank. They decided to target younger players, thinking it would be a harmless joke. Little did they know, their actions would have serious consequences. The prank involved abducting one of the younger players, tying him up, and putting him in the trunk of a car with a pillowcase over his head. The 11 teens involved were charged with unlawful imprisonment in the second degree, a misdemeanor. The district attorney described the incident as "criminal activity" and "hazing on steroids. " The incident was captured on video, showing some of the suspects finding the situation amusing. They were trying to act like gangsters, using an airsoft gun and a knife to scare their teammates. The victim's family reported the incident to the school the next morning, and the school resource officer reported it to the sheriff's office, launching an investigation. The community was shocked by the incident, with families and school officials struggling to understand how it happened. The coach of the lacrosse team, Aaron Cahill, acknowledged the controversy and expressed his commitment to leading with integrity and supporting his players. He also stated that he and his coaching staff had no prior knowledge of the incident. The incident has had a significant impact on the community, with the rest of the varsity boys' lacrosse season being canceled due to increased media attention. The players and their parents were informed at a meeting, with the reason behind the cancellation being concerns that other teams would not want to play against Westhill. The community hopes that the incident will not define their town or the lacrosse program, and that they can eventually heal and move forward. The 11 students involved have been afraid to leave their houses due to harassment in public. They have begun school suspension hearings, and the community is speculating that social media could have influenced the prank. The situation illustrates how quickly a harmless joke can turn into a serious crime, and the importance of understanding the consequences of one's actions.