Onondaga County, New York District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick joined “Fox and Friends” on Thursday to discuss the Hayes incident with the Syracuse High School lacrosse team that made national headlines.
“If a sheriff's aide or state police officer came out on the scene and saw four armed men adducting a young man in camouflage and dark clothing,” Fitzpatrick told “Fox and Friends” host Lawrence Jones.
The 11 West Hill High School lacrosse players will face misdemeanor illegal incarceration charges resulting from the heinous Hayes act of relying on the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday to lure young teammates at gunpoint, seducing them in the head, tied up and stuffing them into the twitching of the vehicle.
West Hill High School athletic facility bleachers. (WTVH)
11 high school athletes are charged with armed “hayes” after a prosecutor's ultimatum
“The weapon could have been drawn, and the shots could have been administered to the kids,” Fitzpatrick said. “It could have been an absolute disaster.”
He told “Fox and Friends” that after further investigation, the gun used in the incident appeared to have bright red or orange tips, and was probably fake.
Four of the 11 suspects are 18 years old and face charges in a local judicial court dealing with minor criminal matters, while other suspects are subject to juvenile court cases.
Bill Fitzpatrick, Onondaga County District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick, “Fox and Friends.” (Fox News)
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However, they have no criminal history after their case was awarded under the deal provided by the district attorney at a rigorous press conference on Tuesday. If Fitzpatrick handed over himself at a press conference, they said they would face misdemeanor charges. Otherwise, they will all be tested as adults on felony invitations.
“In any case, 11 people won't get caught up in a criminal history if they jump over a court-mandated hoop. I think this is fair despite the ridiculous things they did,” Fitzpatrick told Jones.
Jones asked Fitzpatrick how the incident caught his attention at the first place.
“Some of these geniuses have posted this on social media in some misguided efforts to impress friends. We are watching that kind of thing,” he said. “The sheriff's office recognized this and then notified my office and began an investigation.”
A lacrosse player was charged with Hayes at West Hill High School in New York. (West Hill Central School District)
West Hill Central School District Principal Stephen Dunham issued a statement Wednesday.
“This is a very serious situation and the district continues to work fully with the District Attorney and the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office. As this is an ongoing investigation, we cannot provide further comment at this point,” Durham said.
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“As a supervisor, what I can share is that any behavior that puts a student's physical safety, mental health or well-being at risk is always addressed promptly in accordance with the Code of Conduct, and I promise to deal with serious issues directly and thoughtfully.
