News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
An altercation in the locker room at Sisters High School sent a 16-year-old sophomore to the hospital and a 14-year-old freshman to jail early Tuesday afternoon. Parents have been notified. Names of those involved are not being released at this time.
According to Principal Bob Macauley, the two students were returning from a PE class when the incident occurred.
"One student was just mouthing off to the other... he hit a nerve with Student B and (Student B) just cold-cocked him," Macauley said.
The punch landed on the left side of the victim's jaw and he fell into a concrete ledge, leaving a welt above his right eye, Macauley reported.
A teacher and numerous students were in the locker room and bathroom area, Macauley said.
"We immediately called the paramedics and they did a great job," Macauley said.
Macauley said the 16-year-old was effectively knocked unconscious and rendered unaware of his surroundings. He apparently crawled to a bench and at one point got to his feet before adults got him to sit down.
"I've seen concussions all the time," Macauley said. "This guy was out on his feet."
Due to the nature of his injuries, the victim was transported to St. Charles Medical Center via Air Link. According to Macauley, that was a precaution recommended by Sisters EMTs.
Macauley said that by the time he was transported, the student was able to form sentences.
"I'm saying things were better," Macauley said. "They weren't good."
Macauley said that his information indicated that the 14-year-old assailant will likely be charged with third-degree assault. A sheriff's deputy led the youth out of the school in handcuffs.
Macauley said that the student is currently suspended pending further assessment. He could face expulsion from Sisters High School.
"That hasn't been determined," Macauley said. However, he noted that violence in schools is taken very seriously and that the punishment would be severe.
"This happens on the street, it's pretty serious," the principal said. "It happens in school, that elevates it."
The Sisters School District, along with other members of the Safe Schools Alliance, promotes a zero-tolerance policy toward any act of violence. That leaves one student facing a serious injury and another facing serious consequences.
"It's an incident that, in the blink of an eye is going to change some lives," Macauley said.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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