Two students charged after physical assault

Western Springs Police Department actively investigate incident

Elle Simek, Reporter

On Wednesday April 27, a physical assault occurred at LT’s SC. A day later on April 28, Principal Jennifer Tyrrell issued an email stating LT knew of a social media post going around showing a student assaulting another student.

“Our team is currently working to investigate the situation, obtain additional information, and support students who have been impacted,” Tyrrell wrote. “Please know we are also collaborating with the Western Springs Police Department as they investigate this incident.”

Days later on Monday May 2, at approximately 5:46 p.m., the Western Springs Police Department filed criminal charges against a 16-year old female juvenile living in La Grange for battery, which is classified as a class-A misdemeanor. 

“The follow-up investigation confirmed the youth defendant intentionally and without legal justification, confronted a 14-year old female student, proceeded to physically strike the victim multiple times, and pulled the victim by her hair while the victim was on the floor, which resulted in visible injuries that required medical treatment,” the Western Springs Police Department said in a media release on May 2.

The very next day on May 3, at approximately 10:05 a.m., the Western Springs Police Department made a second arrest of a 14-year old male living in Countryside for Disorderly Conduct.

“The follow-up investigation confirmed the youth defendant recorded the aforementioned physical encounter between two other parties, and intentionally and unreasonably publicly disseminated the footage, causing alarm and a disturbance to the public,” the Western Springs Police Department said in a media release on May 3.

In response to the new charges, Superintendent Brian Waterman and Tyrrell sent out an update on the situation, to reassure the LT community that everything was being handled.

“We want to assure our school community that the safety and well-being of all students, staff and visitors to our school is of utmost importance to us,” Waterman and Tyrrell said in their letter. “We will not tolerate acts of violence on school grounds and will take all appropriate steps permissible under Illinois law to preserve a safe, welcoming and respectful school climate for all.”

As of May 3 the investigation of the incident is still active, regardless of two students being charged.