Disruption at Southridge High School leads to arrests

KENNEWICK – Alleged threats, followed by harassment, made by a group of students against another student at Southridge High School Monday and Tuesday led to arrests by law enforcement.

On Monday, during lunchtime, four students cornered another student and threatened to assault him. The victim did not engage the other students and later reported the incident. Once reported, school officials and the school resource officer investigated the allegations and found them to be credible. Based on the police investigation, the school resource officer had probable cause to arrest three of the suspects with criminal mischief.

Then on Tuesday, just prior to lunch, the school resource officer, working with school staff, arrested who they believed to be the primary instigator for the allegation of criminal mischief. School staff members monitored the other students. During lunch, staff members observed two of the students from the previous day follow and harass the original victim.

In the cafeteria, school principals intervened and ordered the two students to stop. The students failed to obey the principals and attempted to push through staff to get at the victim student. This created a significant disturbance for all other students and staff.

School staff called 911 and reported the disturbance. Kennewick police and deputies from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office responded to Southridge High School. The two aggressive students exited the building. Staff members followed the students and reported the updates to police.

Once officers arrived on-scene, they detained the two students. The two students were booked into the Benton Franklin Juvenile Justice Center for suspicion of criminal mischief, disrupting a school activity, failing to obey a school official, and disorderly conduct.

This is an ongoing investigation.

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Elkhorn Media Group

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