SUNBURY — At least two student assaults, both of which were captured on video and uploaded to the Internet, involving Shikellamy students have led city police to pursue arrests in what is being considered the district’s “bully club.”
“There are videos of fights being posted on Facebook and YouTube,” Sunbury Police Chief Steve Mazzeo said. “These incidents have been occurring for quite some time and they have been before, during and after school hours.”
One incident caught on cell-phone video shows a student approach another inside the high school cafeteria and begin punching him in the back of the head more than a dozen times.
“This has got to stop,” said Cpl. Jamie Quinn, the lead investigator. “I will not stop until we have made all the arrests.”
The mother of the student, who wished to remain anonymous for safety reasons, said the school nurse called her after the attack and that moments later the video was posted on Facebook — during school hours.
“Kids were commenting on this while they were in school,” she said. “I went to the police right away. This is the second time this happened to him. He got attacked before.”
District Superintendent Pat Kelley said the district is cooperating with authorities.
“If Sunbury police decide to make arrests, then we are 100 percent behind them,” he said. “We are aware of these incidents and we are doing everything we can to prevent them from occurring.”
Kelley said he spoke with principals in district schools and said they are watching for any activity that might lead to another incident.
“We are keeping a close eye on this,” Kelley said. “The problem we have is some of this occurs off school grounds, but they are still our students.”
Shikellamy participated in an education workshop called “Operation Safe Surf,” which taught teachers how to deal with students and the Internet, Kelley said.
“We don’t allow Facebook in the schools,” Kelley said.
But Facebook can be accessed from cell phones, which is against rules during school hours, Kelley said.
“They are not supposed to have their phones during school hours,” he said.“We are doing everything we can to prevent students from accessing phones during class.”
The mother said her son is now allowed to leave school early because of the incidents.
“I am in fear for him,” she said. “It’s so bad that when he went to the playground, he was late coming home and I was worried that my son’s body was laying somewhere.”
The eighth-grader returned home, but his mother said she has noticed marks on his body.
“He is now scratching himself and I know I have to pin him in the house to make sure he is safe and it is so stressful. He is always worried he is going to get beat up.”
The woman said her family is now looking for a place to live outside the district.
Another incident involved a student who was being chased and beaten near the high school while his friend was restrained.
The video shows a female student stop the fight.
All the alleged participants are minors and range from middle school to high school students.
The number of Facebook messages soared after other students wanted to see the videos, Quinn said.
Another incident involving one of the same victims occurred outside the student’s home, Quinn said.
“A group of them came to the house and when mom came outside, the other kids starting calling her names,” Quinn said.
When the child began defending his mother, students began punching at him while the mother was trying to hold them back, Quinn said.
“It’s mob mentality,” she said.
Police are in contact with Facebook and have been copying comments made by students about the incidents, Quinn said.
“Anyone who sees these comments are to save them to their computers and contact police right away,” she said. “We are trying to gather all the comments and evidence we can get.”
Charges can range from misdemeanors to felonies, including aggravated assault, Quinn said.
“Even if you are the person filming the incidents, you can be charged,” she said. “Anyone involved in this or any event like this, we will not stop until we have made arrests.”
Police said they have been called to Shikellamy at least 100 times in the past calendar year, and 20 times this academic year.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Quinn at 286-4584.
News
Related Photos
-
Sunbury Police Cpl. Jamie Quinn looks at a video related to case involving a fight at her desk computer on Thursday morning. Robert Inglis/The Daily Item
-
Shikellamy school district superintendent Pat Kelley talks about a recent fight inside the high school cafeteria. Robert Inglis/The Daily Item
Discussion
Sunbury police seek arrests in ‘bully club’
- News
-
-
Monroe Township sewing factory may get to rebuild
SELINSGROVE — The Monroe Township supervisors are working on a proposal that may allow EMS Surgical Equipment to rebuild its sewing factory, which was destroyed by fire in February on a nearby lot.
-
Danville to share information on new cyber program at June parent session
A parent information session for the Danville school district’s new cyber program will be held June 3 at 6 p.m. in the Danville High School cafeteria.
-
Governor says distribution center near Hazleton will bring jobs
HAZLETON — Gov. Tom Corbett says American Eagle Outfitters Inc. is planning a $160 million-plus distribution center near Hazleton that is projected to generate nearly 400 jobs.
-
House panel moves to curb military sexual assaults
WASHINGTON — Members of a House panel angry over sexual abuse problems in the military are set to vote on a bill that would strip commanding officers of their authority to unilaterally change or dismiss court-martial convictions — a change that lawmakers believe will lead to a cultural shift that encourages more victims to step forward.
-
Pennsylvania Constitution Center to display Bill of Rights
PHILADELPHIA — One of the 12 surviving copies of the Bill of Rights that may have been pilfered from Pennsylvania in the late 1800s will be on display in Philadelphia for three years, beginning with the 225th anniversary next year of the drafting of the country’s highest ideals.
-
Public info meeting on Rail Trail extension takes place tomorrow
LEWISBURG -- Rail Trail fans, listen up: An informational meeting on the proposed extension of the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail into Lewisburg borough takes place 7 p.m. tomorrow at the William Cameron Engine Co's. training facility at North Fifth Street and Buffalo Road.
-
Gas line break forces one-hour evacuation in Milton
MILTON — Residents in Milton were forced out of their homes for over an hour this morning after a contractor working on Carr Avenue hit a gas line, according to UGI.
-
Today's Top Videos
-
Lewisburg schools lockdown lifted within 20 minutes this morning
LEWISBURG - Schools in the Lewisburg Area School District were locked down briefly this morning due to "a potential threat," according to the district's alert system.
-
Long-time Beavertown mayor ousted by 14 votes
Political newcomer Lee Hollenbach Jr. defeated incumbent Mayor Cloyd “Bill” Wagner in Tuesday night’s Republican primary.
-
Dunkleberger wins Republican primary for prothonotary
Justin Dunkelberger defeated Jamie Saleski 2,744-2,124 in a hotly contested Republican primary election Tuesday night for Northumberland County prothonotary and clerk of courts.
-
Persing wins Republican nod for mayor
Incumbent Mayor David Persing, who fought off repeated allegations in recent months by challenger Julie Brosius, won the Republican nomination by a landslide in Tuesday’s primary election.
-
10 Things to Know for Today
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:
-
FBI: Man fatally shot in Boston bombing probe
ORLANDO, Fla. — A man being questioned in the Boston Marathon bombing case was shot to death at his home by an FBI agent today after turning violent, officials said.
-
Fire destroys $60G cottage in Union County
WINFIELD — A fire swept through a Winfield home while its occupants were at work Tuesday.
-
2013 Primary Election - Top Races
Unofficial primary election returns
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY
Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts
Republican
Justin R. Dunkelberger 2,744
Jamie Saleski 2,124100 percent reporting
Magisterial District Judge
08-3-02, Milton
Republican
Larry Redington 496
Mike Diehl 684
Lisa A. Riley 328
Seth M. Cotner 132
Democrat
Larry Regington 182
Seth M. Cotner 90
Mike Diehl 221Lisa A. Riley 218
100 percent reporting
Sunbury Mayor
Republican
Julie Brosius 200
David L. Persing 378100 percent reporting
Sunbury Treasurer
Republican
Stanley E. Geiswhite 176
Kevin E. Troup 388
100 percent reportingUNION COUNTY
County Coroner
Republican
Tod M. Steese 542
Dominick T. Adamo 1,04963 percent reporting
Gregg Township
Alcohol Sales: Do you favor the granting of liquor license for the sale of liquor in the Township of Gregg?
Yes 82
No 72
100 percent reporting -
Midd-West adopts preliminary budget
Faced with a firm deadline in which to adopt a preliminary budget for 2013-14, the Midd-West school board reversed its vote late Monday night and approved the $32.85 million plan.
-
Police file attempted homicide charge in baseball bat attack
FREEBURG - A Freeburg man, who allegedly attacked two people less than a week after he was released on bail, is now facing attempted homicide charges, according to police.
- More News Headlines
-
Monroe Township sewing factory may get to rebuild
