Eleven Lacrosse Players Charged in Hazing Incident, Syracuse

Eleven high school lacrosse players from Westhill High School in Syracuse, New York, turned themselves in after being accused of subjecting younger teammates to a disturbing hazing incident involving a gun and a knife. The district attorney described the episode as 'hazing on steroids,' emphasizing that it went far beyond typical pranks and represented a serious danger to the victims. The older players allegedly lured younger teammates under false pretenses, then tied up at least one victim, covered his head, and left him in the woods after bundling him into a car trunk. Prosecutors highlighted the incident’s severity, with video evidence showing some players found the ordeal amusing. Each of the eleven players faces misdemeanor unlawful imprisonment charges, and the case has sparked broader discussion about the need for increased oversight and education on hazing in school sports. Authorities stressed the importance of student safety and accountability in preventing similar incidents in the future.