Overview
- Investigators say a 17-year-old student who intervened in a cafeteria bullying incident was later attacked near a school tunnel and needed 11 stitches to his face.
- Cellphone video of the beating was provided to police and used to identify nine suspects who were charged with felony aggravated battery and felony inciting a riot.
- Two 18-year-olds were booked into the county jail and later released under conditions barring contact with victims and return to Harmony High, while seven minors remain in the juvenile system.
- Defense counsel has challenged parts of the arrest affidavit by saying the record does not show one defendant made physical contact, and a judge left probable cause intact while allowing a motion to be filed.
- After the arrests, false social-media and text threats about a possible shooting were investigated and dismissed by deputies, who increased security at a school football game.